Max Verstappen makes surprising prediction for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
MAX VERSTAPPEN appears confident that his Red Bull will be able to compete at the front of the grid this weekend - despite the received wisdom that the Renault-powered car will struggle against its Mercedes and Ferrari rivals.
Verstappen missed out on a real opportunity to win last time out, colliding with Sebastian Vettel during the Chinese Grand Prix in an incident that compromised his race and also earned him a 10-second time penalty.
The result - a fifth-place finish - leaves Verstappen eighth in the F1 Drivers’ Championship while he also had to watch team-mate Daniel Ricciardo lift the winner’s trophy after a terrific drive in Shanghai.
The Australian will hope to repeat the feat in Baku, where he also won back in 2017, and while his Dutch team-mate knows the 1200m home straight will not suit the Red Bull, he believes they will still be able to compete.
“If everything stays alive, yes!” Verstappen said, referencing his 12th-lap retirement due to an oil pressure problem 12 months ago.
“I think the track suited us quite well already last year.
“Sure, the long straight is a bit painful, but we’ll see, I think we can be competitive there.”
He added: “Yes, I think everyone is more positive, in a bit better mood, because we know that we have a good car, and that helps a lot.”
Verstappen is widely regarded as a future world champion and last year signed a new contract to stay with Red Bull until the end of 2020.
But the Milton Keynes-based team do not yet appear able to deliver a car capable of consistently challenging the likes of Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.
And that may be what drives Ricciardo to seek employment elsewhere: his current deal expires in eight months’ time and he is yet to agree a new one at Red Bull.
Verstappen too is aware he cannot expect to win every week - although a potentially difficult Belgian Grand Prix (August 26) will not hinder his enjoyment of the track.
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“I’m looking forward to Spa. It’s a great race track to drive, so that’s the one I’m looking forward to the most,” Verstappen added.
“After that, it’s the street circuits, because that’s where we have a big, big chance of winning a race.”
Although he did not say as much, Verstappen will also be looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix in just over two weeks’ time.
The first Grand Prix of the season in Europe usually brings with it a number of upgrades that could see Red Bull take another step forward to draw level with their rivals.