I think Red bull learned from their mistake in Jeddah of setting the car up for qualifying in the hope that overtaking would be difficult. Seems to me their setup is very race focused. So while the mercs do have the edge over one lap, I think it will be fairly even in race pace. If true, that would make for an epic showdown on Sunday.
F1 2021 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Max has done a trainwreck interview with De Telegraaf. It's in Dutch but I shamelessly nicked a translation off of reddit.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1851...t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=twitter
The title contender who walks around in Abu Dhabi quietly and in anonymity? Forget it. Wherever Max Verstappen goes, the photographers and camera crews are never far away. Yet the Red Bull driver also walks around the Yas Marina Circuit as if all those snoopers do not exist. Focused and relaxed at the same time.
In the run-up to the Formula 1 final, his team keeps away from him as much as possible. In a special Zoom meeting, Verstappen spoke to no fewer than sixty journalists. Then he frees himself from his television obligations only for De Telegraaf time for an exclusive interview. One on one, at the back of the Red Bull Racing hospitality area.
You have been in Dubai for a few days this week. Have you calmed down a bit?
“Yes, I do. I don't have much trouble with that anyway. Everything that happens on the track does not affect my state of mind once I am home or elsewhere. I celebrated my girlfriend's birthday and my sister became a mother for the second time. It was really nice to read those messages and see pictures of the little one.”
The whole of the Netherlands seems to be working on this race and a possible title. Do you get something out of that?
“Of course, I sometimes get something forwarded. It's really beautiful to see. At the same time, I also try not to read too much. That's why I don't get everything, but I think that works the best. Everyone is looking forward to the final, but I approach this Grand Prix just like any other race. I always say, "You can't force things." Everyone knows that I will do my best and that I will always go the extra mile. I realize that people in the Netherlands generally hope I win. That's pretty normal. In England that will also be the case for him.”
You don't pronounce "Lewis Hamilton" and "Mercedes" anymore, I notice.
"That's right. That happens during a season like this. Too much has happened for that.”
Is that because of the race at Silverstone, when you crashed hard after a touché with Hamilton?
“Not just through that moment, but throughout the season. The image I have of certain people has changed. And no, not in a positive way. It doesn't matter to me, it's not that I hate it. But I've seen that when the pressure comes on, certain people show a different face. Then the true nature emerges.”
Do you think Hamilton is afraid of you?
“He will never admit that. At least I'm not afraid of him. Yeah, I think I'll make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He's a different driver than me, less aggressive. He doesn't know how to race like I do. I can't blame him for that either, because he was never able to learn that like I did from my father." An equal number of points for the last race is almost unique. But do you think you are the best driver?
“I think you should be like that if you're a Formula 1 driver. So I say yes, absolutely! But I don't need to hear that from anyone else. I don't need that recognition. I find it much more important what I think myself, and what the people who are close to me think. If I had been in his car, the season would have been decided long ago.”
At Mercedes they characterize you as a super-aggressive driver, who will do everything to eliminate Hamilton. Do they have a point?
“I don't want to take him out, I want to beat him. That's another wording. Some people find me aggressive, others very aggressive and some people don't. I think I am myself. The last games I have to defend more, because we are a bit slower. I don't have the luxury of checking a lead or driving away now. And yes, I do everything I can to win. If I don't think like that, I'd better stay home. If I hadn't had that attitude, we wouldn't be here with an equal number of points. Then he was already champion.”
Do you have the idea that the FIA motorsport federation would rather Hamilton take his eighth world title?
“If you look at certain decisions, at least I don't feel they are on my side. At the last race in Saudi Arabia I am penalized and other drivers don't even have to approach the stewards after a similar situation. Why is it suddenly different for me? With today's knowledge, that blowout in Baku (Verstappen missed a victory that seems certain, ed.) has been extremely painful. In Hungary I was kicked out by his teammate (Valtteri Bottas, ed.) and at Silverstone by himself. I lost a lot of points there.”
“In England he was given a 10-second time penalty, but won the race. Now the FIA is apparently also working on a possible crash, because suddenly it is pointed out that you as a driver can then get points deduction. I think that's ridiculous. Now and then not, as he drove into me on purpose. The hype about the equal number of points doesn't interest me either. I should have been champion by now. Let me say that I have not been happy with decisions that have been made.”
Who, besides yourself, do you wish a title the most?
“Anyone who has contributed even a little bit to this can claim it from me. Of course my father for a huge part. Thanks to him I am here. In addition to the team Helmut Marko and Christian Horner and my race engineer Gianpiero; but actually everyone within Red Bull has meant something to me. The Pex family has also been very important to me in the past. They are also present here in Abu Dhabi. If it would work, I think it would be great for them too.”
The man has lost his damn marbles.
I went into this season completely neutral. I just wanted Pierre Gasly to do well, and hopefully get a great matchup between Max and Lewis. Now I hope anyone named Verstappen never gets near the WDC trophy. Especially Jos.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1851...t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=twitter
The title contender who walks around in Abu Dhabi quietly and in anonymity? Forget it. Wherever Max Verstappen goes, the photographers and camera crews are never far away. Yet the Red Bull driver also walks around the Yas Marina Circuit as if all those snoopers do not exist. Focused and relaxed at the same time.
In the run-up to the Formula 1 final, his team keeps away from him as much as possible. In a special Zoom meeting, Verstappen spoke to no fewer than sixty journalists. Then he frees himself from his television obligations only for De Telegraaf time for an exclusive interview. One on one, at the back of the Red Bull Racing hospitality area.
You have been in Dubai for a few days this week. Have you calmed down a bit?
“Yes, I do. I don't have much trouble with that anyway. Everything that happens on the track does not affect my state of mind once I am home or elsewhere. I celebrated my girlfriend's birthday and my sister became a mother for the second time. It was really nice to read those messages and see pictures of the little one.”
The whole of the Netherlands seems to be working on this race and a possible title. Do you get something out of that?
“Of course, I sometimes get something forwarded. It's really beautiful to see. At the same time, I also try not to read too much. That's why I don't get everything, but I think that works the best. Everyone is looking forward to the final, but I approach this Grand Prix just like any other race. I always say, "You can't force things." Everyone knows that I will do my best and that I will always go the extra mile. I realize that people in the Netherlands generally hope I win. That's pretty normal. In England that will also be the case for him.”
You don't pronounce "Lewis Hamilton" and "Mercedes" anymore, I notice.
"That's right. That happens during a season like this. Too much has happened for that.”
Is that because of the race at Silverstone, when you crashed hard after a touché with Hamilton?
“Not just through that moment, but throughout the season. The image I have of certain people has changed. And no, not in a positive way. It doesn't matter to me, it's not that I hate it. But I've seen that when the pressure comes on, certain people show a different face. Then the true nature emerges.”
Do you think Hamilton is afraid of you?
“He will never admit that. At least I'm not afraid of him. Yeah, I think I'll make him nervous if he sees me in his mirrors. He's a different driver than me, less aggressive. He doesn't know how to race like I do. I can't blame him for that either, because he was never able to learn that like I did from my father." An equal number of points for the last race is almost unique. But do you think you are the best driver?
“I think you should be like that if you're a Formula 1 driver. So I say yes, absolutely! But I don't need to hear that from anyone else. I don't need that recognition. I find it much more important what I think myself, and what the people who are close to me think. If I had been in his car, the season would have been decided long ago.”
At Mercedes they characterize you as a super-aggressive driver, who will do everything to eliminate Hamilton. Do they have a point?
“I don't want to take him out, I want to beat him. That's another wording. Some people find me aggressive, others very aggressive and some people don't. I think I am myself. The last games I have to defend more, because we are a bit slower. I don't have the luxury of checking a lead or driving away now. And yes, I do everything I can to win. If I don't think like that, I'd better stay home. If I hadn't had that attitude, we wouldn't be here with an equal number of points. Then he was already champion.”
Do you have the idea that the FIA motorsport federation would rather Hamilton take his eighth world title?
“If you look at certain decisions, at least I don't feel they are on my side. At the last race in Saudi Arabia I am penalized and other drivers don't even have to approach the stewards after a similar situation. Why is it suddenly different for me? With today's knowledge, that blowout in Baku (Verstappen missed a victory that seems certain, ed.) has been extremely painful. In Hungary I was kicked out by his teammate (Valtteri Bottas, ed.) and at Silverstone by himself. I lost a lot of points there.”
“In England he was given a 10-second time penalty, but won the race. Now the FIA is apparently also working on a possible crash, because suddenly it is pointed out that you as a driver can then get points deduction. I think that's ridiculous. Now and then not, as he drove into me on purpose. The hype about the equal number of points doesn't interest me either. I should have been champion by now. Let me say that I have not been happy with decisions that have been made.”
Who, besides yourself, do you wish a title the most?
“Anyone who has contributed even a little bit to this can claim it from me. Of course my father for a huge part. Thanks to him I am here. In addition to the team Helmut Marko and Christian Horner and my race engineer Gianpiero; but actually everyone within Red Bull has meant something to me. The Pex family has also been very important to me in the past. They are also present here in Abu Dhabi. If it would work, I think it would be great for them too.”
The man has lost his damn marbles.
I went into this season completely neutral. I just wanted Pierre Gasly to do well, and hopefully get a great matchup between Max and Lewis. Now I hope anyone named Verstappen never gets near the WDC trophy. Especially Jos.
He's an absolute bellend. Took that crown from Hamilton 
Is that interview for real? What a catastrofeck.
He's unbearable. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.Christ if that’s real, he’s a disaster waiting to happen.
That started off pretty well and quickly descended into the inane ramblings of a madman.
I mean Lewis is a cringe monster but he has a certain charisma. Max is just plankton. Albeit a primitive life form that’s really good at driving fast in circles.
Regarding that promo video, it is distasteful. If you need to promote the sport, there are plenty of incredible overtaking moves on video or other special moments. Why do they need to show what looks like a crash? It would be like a football advert saying Merry Christmas whilst showing a two footed challenge. There is just absolutely no need to have a crash in the background for any promotional material.
And what's with him not wanting to say the words Mercedes or Lewis Hamilton? What a child
That interview has to be made up surely? He gets more dislikeable every day.
The lack of self awareness is concerning. A narcissist raised by a narcissist perhaps?
"I should've been champion already"
Nah mate, you should've been disqualified from the last race and not picked up a false race win for driving a few laps behind a safety car.
Hamilton really missed out on the wise words of the wife beater Jos Verstappen. What a role model.
And what's with him not wanting to say the words Mercedes or Lewis Hamilton? What a child
He's trying to pretend he is mentally strong and confident. Apart from everyone else can clearly see through his bullshit. Thinks he is some mind game genius.
Jos was also convicted of assault in 2000.
You could learn a lot from him. Max has, it seems.
Max Verstappen or James Corden. You can only punch one. Go!
Is the translation any good? I'm having trouble believing he actually said those things.
I feel you quoted the wrong post
I feel you quoted the wrong post
I quoted you because you are the Dutch person I trust most on the caf.
Max is an utter joke. If he wins it’ll be such a shame.Verstappen is much lighter. Can I pick him up and use him to hit Corden with?
That's quite an honor. I didn't see it though, I don't really care for Max. He's a twattish Belgian if you ask me. If it's cnuty I'm sure he said it though.
I quoted you because you are the Dutch person I trust most on the caf.
Rosberg with his co-ord green belt and shoesIf he says Hamilton 3 times into his rear view mirror, Hamilton's car appears from nowhere and he has to immediately do a brake test.And what's with him not wanting to say the words Mercedes or Lewis Hamilton? What a child
Sky pretty much does that every year too, promoting its boxing day football coverage, with a carol playing over loads of crunching tackles and argy bargy.
I went over the rules and not only are you allowed to do it, but you still get to punch one of em afterwards.
Abu Dhabi FP times
Abu Dhabi GP Practice One Timesheet
Abu Dhabi GP Practice Two Timesheet
Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:25.009 |
| 2) Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +0.196 |
| 3) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.346 |
| 4) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.354 |
| 5) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +0.369 |
| 6) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +0.616 |
| 7) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +0.813 |
| 8) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.837 |
| 9) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.877 |
| 10) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +0.998 |
| 11) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +1.016 |
| 12) Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.114 |
| 13) Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | +1.180 |
| 14) Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | +1.400 |
| 15) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.599 |
| 16) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.667 |
| 17) Jack Aitken | Williams | +2.472 |
| 18) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +2.478 |
| 19) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +2.689 |
| 20) Nikita Mazepin | Haas | +3.296 |
Abu Dhabi GP Practice Two Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:23.691 |
| 2) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +0.343 |
| 3) Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +0.392 |
| 4) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0:641 |
| 5) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.709 |
| 6) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +0.804 |
| 7) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +0.841 |
| 8) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.866 |
| 9) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +1.153 |
| 10) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +1.249 |
| 11) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.268 |
| 12) Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | +1.417 |
| 13) Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.462 |
| 14) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.504 |
| 15) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.694 |
| 16) Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | +1.749 |
| 17) George Russell | Williams | +1.858 |
| 18) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +1.996 |
| 19) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +2.093 |
| 20) Nikita Mazepin | Haas | +2.645 |
Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:23.274 |
| 2) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.214 |
| 3) Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +0.751 |
| 4) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.773 |
| 5) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.832 |
| 6) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +0.949 |
| 7) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +0.977 |
| 8) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +1.321 |
| 9) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.459 |
| 10) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +1.484 |
| 11) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.547 |
| 12) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +1.560 |
| 13) Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | +1.763 |
| 14) Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | +1.774 |
| 15) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +1.820 |
| 16) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.841 |
| 17) George Russell | Williams | +1.946 |
| 18) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +2.048 |
| 19) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +2.066 |
| 20) Nikita Mazepin | Haas | +3.058 |
I'm not sure there would be much left to punch.
Like he is practicing his whole career..
FFS that was some interview posted earlier.
You don't pronounce "Lewis Hamilton" and "Mercedes" anymore, I notice.
"That's right. That happens during a season like this. Too much has happened for that.”
This is just the actions of a brat, this actions IMHO are all down to Horner, he has been poring fuel on the fire all season, instead of telling Max t calm down once or twice, he comes out and says he has done nothing, its all down the Mercedes they are smearing him,
You don't pronounce "Lewis Hamilton" and "Mercedes" anymore, I notice.
"That's right. That happens during a season like this. Too much has happened for that.”
This is just the actions of a brat, this actions IMHO are all down to Horner, he has been poring fuel on the fire all season, instead of telling Max t calm down once or twice, he comes out and says he has done nothing, its all down the Mercedes they are smearing him,
after reading that interview Max easy and I would do it with a huge smile
Hope Lewis and Max are both on the front row to make turn 1 even more exciting
Max P2 on softs would be spicy…
I like Hamilton but I won’t have minded Max winning as he is great driver but for Horner. What a joke this guy is!
Abu Dhabi GP Q1
Last Q1 off 2021
Quick question.. how often do you think we’d have heard about Spa in the last week from Horner if Lewis had ‘won’ it?
Either winning would be OK , would like Lewis to win more.
You have hit the nail on the head , Max's biggest problem is Horner, the guy is a huge arse.
Endlessly