After the Spielberg race, Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen talks about the situation in the paddock and the complex emotions between the top protagonists in the premier class.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg left an enormous impression on fans and drivers. A whopping 303,000 fans came to the idyllic slope in Aichfeld over the weekend.
Regarding the extraordinary atmosphere in Styria and the impressive backdrop with a lot of support from his homeland, Verstappen says on ServusTV: “I drive a Red Bull car on the Red Bull Ring, and the fans from the Netherlands make it a home race. My compatriots obviously like to go to Austria, many combine it with vacation. It seems to me that every year more fans come in orange, it’s fabulous.”
The award ceremony in Spielberg showed on Sunday: The title contenders Verstappen and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) have a very respectful relationship. “Yes, that’s true, we have a lot of respect for each other,” confirms the 26-time GP winner. “And I think – if the other does a good job, then you can say that too.”
Regarding the tensions in the previous year between Verstappen and Hamilton and between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-Benz, the world championship leader says: “I always thought it was not primarily between us drivers, but rather a matter between the teams.”
Speaking of Mercedes: How strong does Verstappen currently rate the silver ones? Max says: «It’s kind of like at the beginning of the year. They still need something to be able to compete regularly at the top again. In the race they were again further away than in the qualification. At Silverstone they were really fast in the race. It’s the details that make the difference.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull Motorsport consultant Dr. Helmut Marko met each other remarkably friendly in Spielberg. Verstappen: “It was different last year. It’s nice to see that things have normalized. However, we are not fighting for the title now, that certainly plays a role. »
Max Verstappen said of Mick Schumacher and his recent achievements: “Mick drove a flawless race in Spielberg. Sixth place is a great result.”
Max’s father Jos Verstappen adds: “Haas was an amazing star at the Red Bull Ring, and Mick sold his skin dearly to Lewis Hamilton.”
Austrian GP, Red Bull Ring
01. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:24:24,312 h
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +1,532 sec
03. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +41,217
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +58,972
05. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +68,436
06. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, +1 lap
07. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +1 Round
08. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Round
09. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, +1 lap
10. Fernando Alonso (L), Alpine, +1 Runde
11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +1 Runde
12. Alexander Albon (T), Williams, +1 Runde
13. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Runde
14. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, +1 Runde
15. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, +1 Round
16. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, +1 Runde
17. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, + Round
Out
Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, engine failure
Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, damaged underbody
Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, Kollisionsschäden
Drivers’ Championship (after 11 of 22 races)
01. Verstappen 208 points
02. Leclerc 170
03. Pérez 151
04. Sainz 133
05. Russell 128
06. Hamilton 109
07. Norris 64
08. Bottas 46
09. Ocon 52
10. Alonso 29
11. Magnussen 22
12. Ricciardo 17
13. Gasly 16
14. Vettel 15
15. Schumacher 12
16. Tsunoda 11
17. Zhou 5
18. Albon 3
19. Stroll 3
20. Latif 0
21. Nico Hülkenberg (D) 0
Booth Constructors Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 359 Punkte
02. Ferrari 303
03. Mercedes 237
04. McLaren 81
05. Alpine 81
06. Alfa Romeo 51
08. Haas 34
08. AlphaTauri 27
09. Aston Martin 18
10. Williams 3