F1: Max Verstappen keeps calm despite Red Bull’s impressive start
Renault are determined to show improvement at the Bahrain Grand Prix
Max Verstappen insists that while securing a podium spot at the Australian Grand Prix was “really positive” his Red Bull team won’t be getting too excited.
Verstappen finished third in the Honda-powered Red Bull in Melbourne as Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton swept to a one-two down under.
Although it was Honda’s first Formula 1 podium since 2008 Planet F1 reports that Verstappen does not think the team pecking order will really be known until the Chinese GP in April.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 21-year-old said: “Starting the season with a podium in Australia is really positive but Melbourne is not a typical circuit, so we can’t get carried away. I don’t think we will really know where we stand until after China.”
This weekend it’s the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix and Verstappen is hoping for exciting racing under the lights in Sakhir.
“I enjoy the track and the transition from day to night is a challenge in terms of car balance, so that always makes it an interesting weekend,” Verstappen added.
“You never really know where you stand when you start qualifying because you haven’t had the optimal preparation as the track conditions aren’t the same during practice.
“The middle sector, which is quite technical, is the best part of the Bahrain circuit and I hope it’s good for racing again this year.”
Renault seek improvement in Bahrain
The Australian GP was a mixed weekend for Renault after Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh and Daniel Ricciardo was forced to retire.
This week in Bahrain Sky Sports reports that the French team will be bringing upgrades and are “determined to show more” in the midfield battle.
Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “We have to underline the step we’ve made on the engine side, and the second grand prix of 2019 is an opportunity to showcase that. We will bring some aero updates, as we will do at every race.”
The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 31 March at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir (4.10pm start UK time).
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Diamonds could be a brilliant climate solution
Under the radar A girl and the climate's best friend
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published