Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is eying up a strong result in Austria this weekend, following a string of retirements at three out of the last four races, including last time out in Azerbaijan.
The Dutchman went well at the Red Bull Ring in 2016, finishing on the podium after going for a less conventional strategy, which worked in his favour. The 19-year-old will be hoping for more of the same this weekend, and praying that he is not plagued with the Renault engine issues that have so far blighted his season.
“I had a really good result in Austria last year coming second.
“Before the race it was a bit unknown how the tyres would play out so I just tried to feel my way in and keep life in them. This allowed me to complete a one-stop strategy, which was always going to be a gamble, but in the end worked out really well.
“This year we have to make sure the car is working well in the corners in order to be up with the front runners and then just try to be as competitive as possible on the straights, it’s always a bit of a compromise.”
Verstappen was buoyed by the fact that there were so many Dutch fans in Austria last year, which he says makes this race weekend all the more special.
“The fans at the Red Bull Ring are always extremely passionate and of course there was a big Dutch turn out last year which is always special for me to see, plenty of caravans and orange around the area.”
