Victory in Austria was Really Amazing – Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen believes that Renault are favouring their own works team. Especially in terms of power unit supply. This does not make his aim of winning 50 or 60 Formula 1 races any easier.

According to him, Red Bull’s customer team status puts them a step or two behind Ferrari and Mercedes in development. At the same time, he says that Renault will always be a step ahead with upgrades.

Verstappen said, “If there are new parts they will, of course, go to the factory team first which is also logical but it’s a pity for us.”

“You just know that at Ferrari and Mercedes these are immediately introduced and then they might have the advantage of that for one or two races before the rest takes a step. So, we are always two races behind. Especially now they have their own factory team, you’re always a little behind on things.”

Although Red Bull have decided to ditch Honda for Renault, the two still need to see out this season.

“I hope we will continue to develop the car well. We are better than [Ferrari and Mercedes] so car-wise they are the ones who need to catch up.”

So far, Verstappen has endured an up and down 2018 campaign. A number of DNFs, mistakes of his own making and engine related issues have haunted him. Fortunately, he managed to take victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, home to the Red Bull team.

Verstappen dubbed it as one of the sweetest of his career. It goes right up there along with his debut win for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, “The victory in Austria, especially in front of so many fans but also with a Red Bull car at the Red Bull Ring was something really amazing.”

However, he revealed that there was no time celebrate the achievement. This was because all the teams were in a triple-header and there was a huge time crunch.

But the 20-year-old Dutchman has affirmed that, “I’m not here to win four races. I’m here to win 50 or 60.”