Max Verstappen aiming to end 2019 season on a high

Max Verstappen

Verstappen aiming to end 2019 season on a high

The finale of the campaign takes place this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Martin Macdonald

Wednesday 27 November 2019 09:00

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Max Verstappen is targetting a positive end to the 2019 season with Red Bull, as he takes to the track at Yas Marina for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend - the final event of the campaign.

The Dutchman has won three races this season, including in the last GP in Brazil two weekends ago, as Red Bull have appeared to make significant strides forward in car performance due to their new partnership with engine provider Honda.

He reckons the team can be satisfied with how 2019 has gone, and wants to keep the positivity going into the winter by performing well in Abu Dhabi.

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"Looking back I think we can be pleased with our season this year, which is our first with Honda, and hopefully we can end it on a high this weekend before everyone breaks up for Christmas and New Year,” he said in his official Red Bull preview of Sunday’s race.

“After a great weekend in Brazil, the team is in good spirits to have one final go at it in Abu Dhabi. We move from a flowing track like Interlagos to a tight and twisty circuit at Yas Marina where the car needs to be set up in a completely different way to Brazil in order to get the best out of it.

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"This is always a challenge in Abu Dhabi as we transition between day and night practice sessions with FP2 the most important session as it gives you the most representative read of qualifying and race conditions."

Team-mate Alex Albon, who was recently confirmed as Verstappen’s partner again for 2020, is eager for a good outing before Christmas also, and reveals that he is a fan of the Yas Marina track - even if other drivers aren’t.

“I like Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina is quite a cool track that I know well. Everyone has different views on it but I like it. I think the last sector is pretty good, it’s technical, and every corner is very similar to the other so if you’re good in one, you’re good in most,” the former Toro Rosso man said.

"The weekend will have a different atmosphere for two different reasons. Firstly because it’s the last race of the season, so everyone is looking forward to the Christmas break and getting some rest.

"Secondly, Abu Dhabi is usually where the championship is decided in the junior categories like F2 and F3, which is what I was doing before F1.

"We have the test to look forward to the week after the race, but my focus right now is on finishing the year strongly and on a high so we take this momentum into 2020.”