Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is remaining realistic despite leading the standings for the Driver’s championship.
Verstappen is sitting at the top of the WDC standings as things stand for the first time in his career. With his win at Monaco, he leapfrogged title rival Lewis Hamilton to the top spot.
Speaking on the Austrian ServusTV, Verstappen spoke about his season so far. He revealed what it felt like to be the leader going into Baku.
“Of course it’s great,” Verstappen said.
“It’s still a long season. The first races in 2021 went well, but there are still many other races we want to win as well. The race in Monaco was fantastic, and to be first in the championship is fantastic. But next weekend in Baku, we also need to win,” he stressed.
Verstappen’s win at Monaco ended his drought at the Monte Carlo track. Before his win, he had never even reached the podium.
“In previous years, Monaco didn’t go so well, with my own mistakes and little luck,” he said. “Now we have won Monaco and are leading both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship, which is very important.”
F1 heads to Baku this weekend, a track where Verstappen’s best result is a P4. He addressed his luck in Azerbaijan as well.
“So far in Baku we haven’t had much luck, but it was the same in Monaco. So maybe this year it will be a good race. We’ll see how we perform.”
Excitement for support
As the season heats up and COVID-19 fears die down, fans are slowly making their return to races. This pleases the Dutchman, who noted the support of his fanbase in Austria.
“The orange army has always supported me, also during the two races I won there,” Verstappen recalls.
“The last one in 2019 was super, with the overtake for the win on the penultimate lap. There were some fans in Monaco, but there will be many more in Austria, which will make for a great atmosphere,” he concluded.
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