Max Verstappen ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix: “I couldn’t care less about all the speculation”

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen knows exactly where Red Bull Racing stands at the moment. Particularly on a circuit where energy management is extremely challenging, the 71-time Grand Prix winner will have to rise to the occasion to hold his own against the competition from Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

Verstappen isn’t particularly optimistic as he says in the paddock at the historic Belgian circuit of Spa-Francorchamps: “We’ll have to see how things go from Friday onwards; it went well in Austria, but not so well in England. I don’t know myself how competitive we’ll be. But I’m not overthinking it either. I’ll just head out on Friday, and then we’ll see.”

A crash following a rear wing failure in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix; a crash following a rear wing failure in the British Grand Prix. On both occasions, the swivel wing closed too late. In Belgium, RBR have now brought the old rear wing with them. Max said: “The reason for that was plain for everyone to see. So we’re sticking with the tried-and-tested equipment here; work is being done on the swivel wing so we can use it again later.”

“Of course I’m annoyed after a poor result, just as I was after the Silverstone Grand Prix. But then you just have to swallow it and carry on. I was at the factory after the race in England; we carried on working as normal on the upcoming races.”

Verstappen is asked about the fact that RBR have lost some good people. “That’s normal for all top teams. Of course, it would have been nice to keep some of the specialists with us. But it’s part of life that people seek out other challenges.”

Verstappen becomes tight-lipped when it comes to his future: “I couldn’t care less about all the speculation doing the rounds. I’ve got nothing to say on the matter. If there’s anything new to announce, I’ll do so.”