Verstappen keeps a low profile after his first laps with the RB16B

Max Verstappen prefers to express himself on the track rather than in the media. The sensational declarations to announce ambitious objectives, very little for him. Even if he can be as impactful on the microphone as he is behind the wheel when he wants. 

24 hours after his discovery of the Red Bull RB16B at Silverstone, the Dutchman did not reveal much about the potential of his new weapon. 

« We ride with demonstration tires so the feeling will never be the same as with real rubber., commented Verstappen during a virtual press conference this Thursday. 

I don't put much stock in these first impressions. The objective was to go back to a F1, get back into the swing of things, and start the car.

Everything looked normal. We will have to wait until we have real tires in Bahrain to know where we are ».

The Dutch virtuoso was not more talkative about the design of the RB16B, of which no on-track images were leaked during its debugging on Wednesday. 

« It's been the same for 5 years, launched Verstappen in an ironic tone. I don't care about the look of the car. It could be pink, purple, or the weirdest shape, if it's fast I'm fine with it. ». 

The Milton Keynes leader is already hoping the new Honda engine will help make up the power deficit recorded in 2020 compared to Mercedes. 

« Everything looks promising but there's no point in stirring things up, he nuanced. I am always very realistic. There is no point in making big statements now. We will see what happens in Bahrain. We know what our goals are and we must now do everything we can to achieve them ». 

• Giving Mercedes a harder time

As its name clearly indicates, the RB16B shares common DNA with its predecessor. Red Bull, which last year identified a problem with the correlation between the results observed in the wind tunnel and those on the track, hopes to have succeeded in erasing the faults of an RB16 that was born capricious, particularly at the rear end. 

Unlike Mercedes, which stopped very early on the development of a W11 that was well above the rest, the Austrian team continued to make changes to its car until late in the season, with the idea of ​​reaping the benefits. fruits this season. Enough to finally compete with Mercedes from the start of the season?

« I don't want to get excited, I want to keep a low profile and concentrate on our work, replied Verstappen, whose winter preparation included driving a GP3 in Barcelona. We should provide answers on the track and not outside.

We want to give more trouble to Mercedes, who remains favorite ».

• « I don't know what Lewis will do »

The Flying Dutchman is entering a pivotal season in his career. His boss Christian Horner recently admitted that his star driver was probably at the top of the list at Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton from next year if the seven-time world champion decides to bow out at the end of 2021.

« I don't know what Lewis will do, swept Verstappen. I focus on myself and the upcoming season with the goal of making it successful. ». 

Clearly, the ten-time Grand Prix winner will not have given up anything juicy and we will have to be content with these crumbs while waiting for the winter tests in Bahrain (March 12-14). Unless we have to read into the silences and ellipses of the Dutchman, sometimes richer in lessons than his declarations.