© Vladimir RysMax's Drive To WinAs we're set to complete the first third of the season in Montreal, Max looks back at his campaign so far that has yielded two podium finishes and four fourth places.
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Max Verstappen celebrates the victory© Getty Images
I think itâs been going quite well. Weâve maximised our results so far, so we canât really complain. Of course we always want to win and weâre not in a winning position yet, but weâre all pushing really hard to be able to do that soon. The Team is third in the championship and we are just maximising our potential, which is always very positive, itâs never that easy to nail everything, so I think we are doing quite well.
In Australia there were no major expectations, so your third place was obviously a fantastic result for the team and for Honda. What was your feeling that weekend?
It was a good weekend in general, I think. Of course, to be on the podium and to score the first podium for Honda in the V6 era was very important and nice to see. I was really pleased with that weekend and it was a great way to start the season.
Max Verstappen celebrates the third place© Vladimir Rys
Were you happy in the car at that early stage of the campaign or has that developed since?
Yeah, to be honest, I felt quite comfortable in the car straight away [in testing], so it wasnât so much of a problem.
Your second podium came in Spain. Was it a good feeling to finish ahead of Ferrari in that race? Did it give you encouragement for the battles ahead?
In general, that weekend was pretty good. We qualified fourth, but Mercedes were just very strong. We were fighting with Ferrari and I think at the beginning of the season, and especially in pre-season testing, they were the team to beat, so I think we are definitely taking steps in the right direction. Itâs always nice to finish on the podium and I was happy to finish third, but as a team we want more.
Do you think that trend has continued? Are you eeking more out of the car each weekend?
I think we are getting stronger every race weekend and we keep putting bits on the car that are making it faster, but as can you can see other teams are very strong and they also keep pushing very hard, so we just need to make sure that we keep doing a little bit better job of it than they do.
Max Verstappen in Montreal© Vladimir Rys
Youâre known as a driver who comes into race weeks with incredible drive to win. Where does that passion for victory come from?
To be honest, I think everybody wants to win. But yes, I will always try my very best. From a young age my dad always drilled into me that you have to keep working hard. Itâs not only on-track but also off-track â youâve got to always keep improving the car and yourself. Youâve got to use all the tools you have around you to try to find a better set-up or to try to find a way that makes you feel more comfortable in the car. My dad was always pushing me to do that, to find extra performance.
Do you still have that kind of relationship with him, where after a race weekend youâll sit down and talk through the race?
Itâs more in the background now, but yeah, I call him every day and we speak about set-ups, what Iâm thinking about from one session to another and stuff like that. It doesnât necessarily mean that he says âyes, thatâs rightâ or not, itâs more about giving him feedback and updates on what Iâm doing, so that he knows whatâs going on.
Youâre quite lucky to have the sounding board of a close relation who has F1 experience. That must be very good for you?
For sure. Itâs always very helpful to have a family who knows a lot about what you are doing and who has done it himself. I always enjoy sharing those things with him.
Teammates: Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly© Getty Images
Having a strong team around you helps. How is it going working alongside Pierre?
Everythingâs going well. Iâve known Pierre a long, long time and weâre working really well together. We also have a lot of fun together; heâs just a very nice guy. The team spirit is very high and everyone is very happy, so weâll just keep pushing to try to get better results out of it.
And do you feel the teamâs relationship with Honda is boosting progress?
The relationship with Honda is working really well. The communication is good, and thatâs always crucial in getting more performance from both parties. At the moment Iâm just very happy with how everything is going. We are winners and at Honda they are the same, so we are both pushing hard to become even more successful together.
Drivers on the track© Getty Images
What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
Itâs very difficult to anticipate. We know that we have to improve, but things can change from track to track. There are places where you are naturally a bit more competitive than at others.
From my experience what always works best is to wait and see and donât set a lot of goals. Just work hard and approach every single weekend as an opportunity to win, and weâll find out at the end of the season how it went.
Are there any races youâre particularly looking forward to that are coming up?
I look forward to most of them. Spa is my favourite track, so Iâm always looking forward to that one. In the past Mexico has been very successful for me, so you always look forward to going back to tracks where you know you have a bit more of a chance of having a good result.