Max Verstappen heads into the season finale of the 2016 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi with one eye on finishing fourth in the championship, and he sits just five points behind Sebastian Vettel.
The Red Bull Racing driver feels one small mistake during a lap of the Yas Marina Circuit can have drastic consequences on lap time, and he knows it is important to keep the tyres alive through the whole lap with a lot of time to be won or loss in the final sector.
“The track design in Abu Dhabi is quite different, there are a lot of low speed corners and combinations,” said Verstappen. “The unique layout means it is challenging, a small mistake during one of the many corner sequences can ruin a lap.
“It is also important to have a strong car in the last sector to keep the tyres alive.”
Verstappen is also looking forward to 2017 and the new cars and regulations that come into force, and admits to being eager to see just how next season unfolds.
“Of course it is the last race of the season and I think we can look back and be very happy with 2016,” said Verstappen. “There is plenty of work to do for next year with the regulation changes and I think everyone is excited to see the new cars so I can’t wait to get started.”
