Max Ready For The Ring

Max has made the Red Bull Ring his own in the last two years, with back-to-back victories. However, this year with a quieter circuit, he's in a reflective mood as he embarks on the new season.

Max Is All Smiles In Melbourne

Max doesn’t get a home grand prix this year, but he does begin the season with two races at the tracks he’s made his home from home. Austrian Grand Prix wins in 2018 and 2019 have sparked wild scenes from his travelling Orange Army. This, year it’s going to be a very different Red Bull Ring that kicks-off a very different F1 season.

I haven’t been able to drive in such a long time and It’s the longest it’s been since I started karting.

When Max fires-up for FP1, it will be a little over four months since he last drove the RB16 – or any F1 car. This is just one of the many things that stand out. “I haven’t been able to drive in such a long time and It’s the longest it’s been since I started karting” says Max. “Luckily, I have a simulator at home and as you’ve probably seen, I have been using that a lot during the shutdown period.”

Max On Track During The Supercars All-Stars Eseries

Max’s eclectic Esports calendar has seen him race in everything from Virtual Le Mans to the Australian Supercars Series – but since the F1 shutdown ended, he’s been turning his attention to the day job – though he argues that time away has not dulled his sharpness. “I really want to get back in the car and be as fast as possible,” he says “and I feel in even better shape now than I did before Australia.”

There are usually so many great Dutch fans in Austria - it’s a shame we don’t have that this year.

While attention is focussed on new protocols, everyone in the F1 paddock is curious about how a behind-closed-doors Grand Prix will feel. Given the support Max has always enjoyed at the Red Bull Ring, he will perhaps feel the difference more than most. “It is going to be very different” he concludes. “There are usually so many great Dutch fans in Austria. I have lots of good memories from that track. It’s a shame we don’t have that this year but we will try and put on a good show for everyone watching at home on TV.”

Honda are very motivated and want to fight for the title like we do.

Quite how good a show is the big question. The Team expects to be fighting for race wins – but will Max also be in the hunt for a title? “I hope so, it’s so hard to say. One thing I know for sure is that we will do everything we can to fight for it,” he says. “Mercedes are still the ones to beat, because they have been the dominant Team for so long now. They are still very strong and will be hard to beat but as a Team we learnt a lot over the last year and I really think that we are stronger. Honda are very motivated and want to fight for the title like we do.”

Up Close With Max In The RB16

Max has the potential this weekend to secure a third consecutive Austrian victory but is candid that the hat-trick is not top of his wish-list. “I would prefer to win a Championship! The most important thing for me is to have a competitive car and perform at my best.”