With a 46-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship, Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen heads into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend. And the big World Cup lead could also affect his approach.
In his media round on Thursday, the Dutchman revealed that from now on he would like to learn something from Mercedes driver George Russell. “Of course you’re a bit behind on the points,” says Verstappen, looking at the World Cup standings.
Because Russell is already missing 64 points on Verstappen. Nevertheless, the Briton is in a strong fourth place. Strong because the Mercedes is actually only the third fastest car this season behind the Red Bull and the Ferrari.
According to Verstappen, it will be “hard for Russell to turn it around completely,” said the Dutchman with regard to the World Cup. “But it shows that you’re still in a decent position if you don’t fail and always score,” he explains.
Because Russell is the only pilot who has finished all races in the top 5 so far in 2022. It is precisely this consistency that Verstappen now takes as a role model. “I’ll try to do that from now on, too. We always have to finish the races, we can’t drop out,” he explains.
This means that from now on Verstappen may no longer drive – contrary to his reputation – at full risk in every duel and may prefer to take second place instead of betting everything on victory with a risky manoeuvre.
Verstappen does not want to risk a forecast
Incidentally, with regard to the weekend at Silverstone, he is very cautious with forecasts. “I think it’s been very close so far. Sometimes they were ahead in qualifying and then sometimes in the race it turns around,” he says, referring to Ferrari.
In addition, the Scuderia will bring updates to the car this weekend. “So we have to wait and see. And we also have to wait and see what the weather will do. That can also shake things up a bit,” said Verstappen.
And when asked whether Mercedes could intervene in the duel between Red Bull and Ferrari at the home race, Verstappen replies cautiously: “I find it very difficult to judge at the moment.”
“Historically, they have always been very quick here, and they also bring new parts to the car. But it’s far too early to say where they will be. It’s more important for us to look at ourselves anyway,” explains the world champion.
Red Bull at Silverstone with updates
In this context, he reveals that Red Bull will also have updates at Silverstone. However, he leaves open what they are. “A few,” he just grins. It remains to be seen if these will help improve one’s own in-car feel.
Because he’s not completely satisfied with that this year. “Each track is different. You don’t always need a strong front. On street circuits, for example, because the car has to turn in very quickly,” he explains.
“We maybe had a little more problems there. Of course it didn’t help how the tires behaved. But we’re constantly working on it and in Canada it wasn’t really a problem for me with the balance,” he clarifies.
“I don’t know how it’s going to be here. It’s a completely different layout. Every weekend can be a little different. But compared to the first race, the car overall is in a much better window for me now,” he reports.
Pérez first Verstappen pursuer
How good the Red Bull is this year in general is shown by the fact that teammate Sergio Pérez is currently second in the World Cup – and thus the first Verstappen pursuer on paper. For the champion personally, that doesn’t make much of a difference.
“My goal is always to beat everyone around me. The positive thing about it is that it’s good for the team because we want to win both championships,” explains Verstappen, but also emphasizes: “But I don’t think that much either about it.”
“It’s good for the team that we’re in this position. Now we just have to try to minimize our absences,” said Verstappen. And this year George Russell and Mercedes will show how that works…