Verstappen: "Our discussions do not need to be revealed in public"

This is finally the last piece of the puzzle. Red Bull/Racing Bulls who was missing. Max Verstappen was logically questioned about his change of teammate, which took place between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. This Thursday at Suzuka, the Dutchman rather avoided the question when it was put to him. While not denying having liked on Instagram a post of his compatriot Giedo van der Garde, who lamented the fate reserved for the New Zealand pilot...

“I discussed everything with the team, so they know my opinion on everything. I think that’s enough, right? Honestly, some of our discussions don’t always need to be revealed in public. Then people start speculating about what words to add, and I don’t like reading all that. I liked [van der Garde’s] text, so it speaks for itself! It wasn’t a mistake, although it can happen sometimes when you click on something…”

Verstappen 'at the limit of what he has'

Verstappen also spoke about his Red Bull RB21, which has been the subject of much discussion. While some believe the machine played a significant role in the difficulties encountered by Liam Lawson and his predecessors, the Dutchman explained that he was the least qualified to judge. Indeed, after only 23 Grands Prix with Toro Rosso, Verstappen arrived at Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. The number 1 wearer therefore evolved in Formula 1 with the Milton Keynes single-seaters, and therefore cannot draw any comparison with the other single-seaters on the grid, and their philosophies.

“I’ve been with the team for quite a few years, so it’s quite difficult for me to judge the car because I’ve never really driven anything else. I don’t know how much easier or harder it is than any other car. I’m just driving at the limit of what I have. The car is probably not the easiest, we always discuss what we can improve, and that’s what we keep working on. We need to improve the car, that’s what I’ve told the team, and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

Max Verstappen did admit that the performance level of his Red Bull is probably not as high as expected: “I think our main problem is that our car is not where we want it to be. I think everyone in the team knows that. And that's what I'm focusing on, to be honest. Because as soon as the car is more competitive and easier to drive in general, I think that… even in the other car, the second car, things will come to you a little bit more naturally anyway.”

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