Verstappen not expecting repeat of Silverstone success
Verstappen not expecting repeat of Silverstone success
Max Verstappen is not expecting to repeat his success at Silverstone this season despite his front-row start for the Russian Grand Prix.
Verstappen took the chequered flag at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix in July, the second of the back-to-back races to be held at the Northamptonshire circuit, despite only starting from fourth on the grid.
But circumstances played into the hands of the Red Bull driver that allowed him to claim a surprise success after Mercedes duo Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton had locked out the front row, only for the duo to fall foul of the softer tyre options for that race compared to the previous weekend's British Grand Prix.
At the Sochi Autodrom, Verstappen has the benefit of starting on the more durable medium tyre compared to polesitter Lewis Hamilton on the soft, while there is also the advantage of the kilometre-long run to the first significant corner that will allow him to slipstream the six-time F1 champion, although Bottas starts from third.
Despite the favourable circumstances, Verstappen said: "It’s a surprise to be on the front row, that’s for sure, but I honestly don’t expect it to be like Silverstone.
"I think we were a little bit more competitive in the long runs there, and also the compounds, I don’t think it’s as big an issue as what it was there, so I don’t expect the same to happen."
Primarily, Verstappen is simply hoping to see the chequered flag on this occasion after retiring in the two most recent races in Italy with power unit problems.
"For us, it [starting second] is the best way going into the race," added Verstappen.
"Of course, I’m starting a bit on the dirty side so I’m not sure how much that’s going to affect it, but overall I think the Mercedes guys are a bit faster in race pace.
"I’ll try my very best to stay with them and see what happens, but first of all I would like to have a good start, and by start I mean once I go full throttle to have full power, that would be nice and then not get taken out.
"After two retirements I think it’s good to score some points again."
Before you go...
Perez "disappointed" by Racing point leaks
Hamilton braced for Russian GP "struggle" after overcoming qualifying "panic"
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner outlines Ricciardo target to save F1 dream as major Newey announcement made - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- Yesterday 21:57
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- Yesterday 19:57
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860