Max Verstappen says Crimson Bull are “assured” they’ve made the fitting adjustments to their automobile as he seeks a fifth consecutive drivers’ title.
Verstappen’s fourth crown final 12 months was based on a dominant interval within the first 5 races earlier than McLaren, specifically, caught up in efficiency.
The Dutchman drove an excellent season to defend his lead from Lando Norris, when the Briton’s McLaren was the quicker automobile within the second half of the 12 months.
Verstappen mentioned: “The event route we selected on the time confirmed quite a lot of promise, however sadly it did not work like that on observe so we needed to change a number of issues.
“Now let’s hope that’s the proper route. We’re assured it’s the proper route however let’s examine how a lot we will extract out of it for this ultimate season with this automobile.”
The brand new automobile, the RB21, will run for the primary time in a brief ‘filming day’ check in Bahrain on Tuesday earlier than the official pre-season check begins on the identical observe on Wednesday.
Crimson Bull have launched some official pictures of the automobile however they have been taken in a studio and the automobile has been shot in low gentle, so any essential aerodynamic particulars are obscured.
Verstappen mentioned: “My motivation is there. Final 12 months was not easy however we nonetheless gained the championship. I’m very excited to look forward and hopefully we will enhance our automobile, and that could be a motivation in itself.”
If he turns into champion once more, he will likely be solely the second driver in F1 historical past to win 5 titles in a row, after Michael Schumacher.
It’s the first time since 2005 that Crimson Bull have gone right into a season with out their design chief Adrian Newey. The design legend is becoming a member of Aston Martin on 3 March.
Verstappen mentioned: “I do not assume we should always take into consideration that an excessive amount of. It’s achieved. He isn’t there any extra. That is how it’s. It is the way it’s been final 12 months and I belief additionally the people who find themselves there for the time being, we’ve to do all of it collectively.
“It’s a staff effort however I’ve quite a lot of respect for what Adrian has achieved for the staff, have an excellent relationship with Adrian and I’m excited for him to begin a brand new challenge.”
Verstappen has a brand new team-mate this season in New Zealander Liam Lawson, after Sergio Perez was paid off final December following a second consecutive disappointing season.
Lawson has made it clear he is aware of his job is to help Verstappen as a lot as potential.
“The staff’s purpose is to win the constructors’ (championship) and clearly they weren’t in a position to try this final 12 months, and that is the clear purpose going into this 12 months,” Lawson mentioned.
“So clearly we’re doing one of the best job we will to make the automobile as quick as potential, and for me if we’re able that we’re preventing for successful the constructors’ then I am doing my job.
“That is actually the place the staff’s purpose for me and their expectation for me is at, outdoors of clearly my objectives for Components 1.”
