Max Verstappen says Purple Bull are “assured” they’ve made the correct adjustments to their automotive 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, in particular, caught up in performance.
The Dutchman drove an excellent season to defend his lead from Lando Norris, when the Briton’s McLaren was the sooner automotive within the second half of the 12 months.
Verstappen mentioned: “The event path we selected on the time confirmed loads of promise, however sadly it did not work like that on observe so we needed to change a couple of issues.
“Now let’s hope that’s the proper path. We’re assured it’s the proper path however let’s examine how a lot we are able to extract out of it for this closing season with this automotive.”
The brand new automotive, the RB21, will run for the primary time in a brief ‘filming day’ take a look at in Bahrain on Tuesday earlier than the official pre-season take a look at begins on the identical observe on Wednesday.
Purple Bull have launched some official pictures of the automotive however they have been taken in a studio and the automotive has been shot in low mild, 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 are able to enhance our automotive, and that could be a motivation in itself.”
If he turns into champion once more, he can 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 Purple 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 suppose we must always take into consideration that an excessive amount of. It’s carried out. 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 got to do all of it collectively.
“It’s a crew effort however I’ve loads of respect for what Adrian has carried out for the crew, have a terrific relationship with Adrian and I’m excited for him to begin a brand new mission.”
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 doable.
“The crew’s aim is to win the constructors’ (championship) and clearly they weren’t ready to try this final 12 months, and that is the clear aim going into this 12 months,” Lawson mentioned.
“So clearly we’re doing the most effective job we are able to to make the automotive as quick as doable, and for me if we’re ready that we’re combating for profitable the constructors’ then I am doing my job.
“That is actually the place the crew’s aim for me and their expectation for me is at, outdoors of clearly my targets for Method 1.”
