Max Verstappen gives 'weekend off' quip as Red Bull car arrives in Austin

Verstappen lacht tijdens persconferentie op Zandvoort — Photo: © LAT Images

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Verstappen gives 'weekend off' quip as Red Bull car arrives in Austin

Verstappen joked that he could have 'weekend off' after dramatic RB19 entrance

Cal Gaunt

Friday 20 October 2023 12:57

Max Verstappen watched his car make quite the entrance into Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix - and joked that he might even be able to take the weekend off.

Unveiling their dedicated USA Grand Prix livery, a video circulating on social media showed Verstappen alongside Red Bull team principal Christian Horner as the RB19 made its way to the track via a crane.

Verstappen clinched the drivers' world championship in Qatar a fortnight ago and Red Bull took the constructors' title before that.

Max Verstappen won his third world title in Qatar

Max Verstappen joked that he could have the weekend off if the crane failed in delivering his car to Austin

Verstappen watches car arrive in spectacular fashion

With seemingly little on the line for the remainder of the season, Verstappen quipped that a mechanical disaster with the car's delivery might allow him some further rest.

"I see it has my number on," he said. "If it drops [from the sky] now, I think I can take the weekend off."

Article continues under video

“I see it has my number so if it drops now i think i can take the weekend off”

Max? pic.twitter.com/tEW50obf2a
— Sem¹ ☆☆☆ (@Semmieeef1) October 19, 2023

Horner focussed on task at hand

However, Red Bull will of course be treating the remaining grands prix with the utmost seriousness, as they look to consolidate a P1-P2 finish in the drivers' standings for the first time in their history.

Sergio Perez is clear of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton by just 30 points, with the Mexican struggling for form in recent months which has allowed the chasing pack to catch up.

Christian Horner is focussed on securing P2 in the drivers' standings through Sergio Perez

Looking ahead to the weekend's racing, Horner is understandably mindful of his driver's recent performances but expressed his satisfaction with Perez's dedicated efforts to regain his form.

He told the Mirror that Perez had spent three consecutive days on the simulator in preparation for Austin, which is something he has never done before.

Horner believes that the Mexican has made 'significant progress' after a string of nightmare weekends.