PART TWO – Alex ALBON (Williams), Max VERSTAPPEN (Crimson Bull Racing), Gabriel BORTOLETO (Kick Sauber)
Q: Max, why don’t we begin with you? Basic query to begin with – Monaco, what makes this occasion completely different and particular?
Max VERSTAPPEN: I feel it’s simply how troublesome the observe is to grasp in qualifying, to get probably the most out of it. Additionally understanding that overtaking is troublesome on a Sunday, qualifying is much more necessary. It’s extremely slender, difficult, bumpy. The historical past, in fact, of Monaco basically – that is one in all these races that you just actually wish to win. It is rather particular to be racing right here. It’s fairly insane, to be trustworthy. However when you stand on the highest step on the rostrum, it’s one thing the place you’re like, “That was an awesome weekend.” You’re like, “finished!”
Q: Speaking of nice weekends, you had an awesome weekend at Imola final outing. You’ve clearly made numerous progress with the automobile in latest races. Is it sufficient so that you can win your third Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday?
MV: Nicely, I imply, in the event you take the typical of Miami and Imola, I don’t suppose we glance that nice. So we’ve got to be calm. Imola was an excellent weekend for us – I say weekend as a result of Friday was not good. We simply should maintain understanding our automobile a bit higher, what we would like with the set-up. It is a very completely different observe. If you happen to take a look at the season to this point, we’ve solely actually been correctly aggressive on high-speed corners. Monaco shouldn’t be a high-speed observe. I’m just a little extra reserved for this weekend. Even in case you have the most effective automobile, to nail it in qualifying round right here may be very robust. We simply should see what occurs tomorrow and work from there. I don’t know the place we’re within the order. Traditionally, we’ve not been significantly nice on road circuits. Hopefully we are able to change {that a} bit, however I don’t know.
Q: Max, can I ask you in regards to the championship now? We’re one third of the best way via the season. You are solely 22 factors behind the chief, Oscar Piastri. Do you imagine you might be genuinely on this battle when it comes to tempo with McLaren?
MV: Nicely, it’s not about believing. It’s about the place you end within the final race, and we simply maintain working each race to be higher and enhance the scenario. Quite a bit can occur. If you happen to requested me final 12 months round this time, I’d have mentioned, “Yeah, we’re going to win it. No downside.” However then loads modified as properly. It’s not for certain that it’s going to be easy to the top of the season. I feel we nonetheless have to enhance in areas, however that’s nice. We’ll attempt to discover the enhancements.
Q: Max, that is one thing of a house race for you. Are we going to see your daughter, Lily, coming trackside, possibly coming into the pits or staying residence?
MV: No. It’s higher she stays at residence. It’s extra relaxed for her.
Q: Alex, can we come to you? Can we begin by speaking about final night time? There was the screening of F1: The Film. Can we simply get your ideas on that to begin with?
Alex ALBON: Yeah. We must always ask Max… How was the film? It was good. I feel they’ve finished stability, to be trustworthy. It’s exhausting to not take a look at every thing with a nice comb and simply see it for what it’s – simply loosen up and watch it as a film. I do know you had been there. I don’t know in the event you had the identical impression, however I feel for Hollywood and for what we do, they did job.
Q: Gabriel, can I carry you in on this as properly? What did you suppose?
Gabriel BORTOLETO: I feel it’s a really Hollywood one, nevertheless it’s good. It’s going to be excellent for those who nonetheless don’t know the game a lot. It’s going to be excellent for our sport. For us drivers, we reside this on daily basis, so we all know each element. Some stuff we realise – I don’t wish to give spoilers or something – however that’s what I’m certain might be good for the game. And for those who don’t know a lot about Method 1, they will be taught and become involved with us.
Q: Alex, can I carry you again in? What about Imola? You had been driving with a little bit of insurgent in you. You gave the impression to be having fun with your self on the market. Was that the most effective race you’ve pushed for Williams?
AA: No. I wouldn’t say the most effective race. I don’t suppose it was my strongest weekend. I used to be really on the again foot for a lot of the weekend, simply not feeling that snug with the automobile, which is much more telling – that even when issues aren’t going fantastically, we are able to nonetheless come residence with a P5. What’s been good for us typically is we’ve made a step, clearly all over the place. Our race tempo in comparison with the highest groups as a midfield crew is often worse come race day than Saturday. However the final couple of races, we’ve really been just about on the cash with the place we’ve left qualifying. It’s being placing us in competition with groups like Ferrari and even Mercedes. So, it’s been actually fulfilling – greater than something, simply to have the ability to combine it with the highest groups has been numerous enjoyable. I’ve loved that loads. It’s a pleasant change.
Q: Has the improved efficiency been track-specific, or do you suppose you might be robust all over the place now?
AA: It’s fascinating, as a result of the final couple of tracks – we knew Miami would swimsuit us. We didn’t count on Imola to swimsuit us. We’ve positively made setup modifications alongside the best way, however to not the purpose the place we anticipated to be the velocity we had been at. So in some ways, it makes you suppose possibly we come right here and we’re going to be simply as fast. You’re sort of treading the road of cautious optimism, the place I feel I feel sure, there’s no cause why we shouldn’t be fast right here. However on the identical time, had been we simply good within the final two races? I don’t know.
Q: Gabriel, can I simply carry you again in? We noticed improved tempo from Sauber final weekend. Do you suppose that may translate to Monaco this weekend?
GB: I’m not so certain about that. I feel Miami we had been a bit higher. In Q1 we went to Q2 with a bit extra margin. Imola was not our greatest observe. We went to Q2, however I don’t wish to take any credit score out. However on the finish of the day, Yuki crashed and Berman received the lap deleted. It was not the most effective quali tempo, however the race tempo was a bit higher. Sadly, we weren’t in a position to maximize the alternatives we received, so we didn’t handle to attain any factors. I feel we’re making progress, taking steps forward. Let’s see – in Barcelona, we’re bringing a brand new package deal, so possibly that may be an excellent factor for us.
Q: You completed on the rostrum in F2 right here final 12 months. How are you anticipating this racetrack to really feel in a Method One automobile?
GB: Very tight. The F1 vehicles are fairly massive, and even driving the sim, you’ll be able to see clearly it’s an excellent tight observe. With these F1 vehicles going so fast, it’s going to be wonderful. For a younger driver, this is among the races you at all times dream of racing – the Monaco GP in Method One. I’m actually wanting ahead to beginning the weekend and studying this observe with the F1 automobile. Even when I raced right here prior to now, the method with F1 is totally completely different. It’s going to be very fascinating. I’m wanting ahead to it.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports activities F1) Query for Max. I feel we’re all in settlement that qualifying right here this weekend may very well be crucial of the season. Take us via your method to qualifying. You steadily get higher because the classes go on – do you push from the outset? Are you aware how exhausting you’ll be able to push by the point you get to Q3? Yuki Tsunoda mentioned your method is sort of distinctive. Give us an perception into the way you go right into a qualifying session.
MV: I suppose it additionally relies upon a bit the place you might be on the grid. Proper? I’d say in the event you’re on the again, that you must push flat out in Q1 to attempt to make it out. So let’s first discover out the place we’re within the grid. However then, yeah, Monaco is a particular one the place you do push, however the observe can be coming to you fairly a bit even in qualifying. So, you simply should be out on the proper time. And naturally, visitors could be a downside in Q1 – numerous vehicles on the market. It’s at all times that nice line of how a lot you are prepared to danger already, and ensuring you’re in rhythm. On the finish of the day, loads is rhythm, as a result of on a traditional observe it is a bit extra easy. The grip is sweet, you might have house, you get fairly snug. However round right here, I don’t suppose you ever really feel tremendous snug. You are at all times on the sting. So, via qualifying, comply with the observe, get into that good rhythm. Ensure that the automobile is to your liking, make it possible for the tyre is in the appropriate window. All of it sounds very straightforward, nevertheless it’s not that simple, sadly. And with the C6 compound now, I don’t know how they’re going to reply round right here as properly. That’s one thing all of us have to determine – all of the drivers, all of the groups.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports activities Italy). A query to Max. You often love traditions. How a lot might this race change with the 2 obligatory stops in your opinion?
MV: I suppose it could actually go each methods – it may be fairly easy, or it could actually go fully loopy due to Security Vehicles coming into play or not making the appropriate calls. I feel it would spice it up most likely a bit extra. Usually, with one cease, after you have pit cease and every thing is ok, then you definitely drive to the top and simply keep targeted and never hit the barrier. However possibly with a two-stop, it could actually create one thing completely different – individuals playing, guessing when the appropriate time is to field. So hopefully, it would spice it up a bit extra.
Q: (Tom Slafer – DAZN Spain). Query for Max. You had been speaking about qualifying and your method. Each time we come to the Monaco Grand Prix, at the least in Spain, individuals submit your lap of 2023 – the pole that might have been for Fernando. Was that Monaco 2023 Q3 lap the most effective one in all your life?
MV: It was one, however truthfully, round Monaco it is at all times very robust to say “that was unbelievable” since you by no means actually really feel tremendous snug. However on the time in ’23, I knew that I used to be down within the first two sectors, so I knew I needed to danger a bit extra. And it labored out properly for me. It was a cool lap, and naturally it meant loads as a result of it meant that you just begin first. Usually you win the race in case you have a traditional begin. However like I mentioned, usually, and now there’s much more that may go improper with two stops. So, first, let’s see the place we qualify after which we’ll see what occurs. However for certain, ’23 was 12 months and a cool qualifying round right here.
Q: (Regine Anthonesson – ViaPlay) Query to Alex. Are you able to describe the sensation of a qualification on the market in Monaco?
AA: Truthfully, just like what Max is saying. I feel with these vehicles and the burden of them round such a slender observe like Monaco, and in addition with these softer tyres – it sounds unusual, nevertheless it’s really straightforward to overdrive. It’s a must to look forward to the observe to come back to you and be fairly disciplined in your driving. You don’t wish to really feel uncontrolled. You will get to some extent the place you’re taking a lot danger that you just’re simply not snug and you’ll’t construct on it. What Max is saying a few bit extra of a gentle method – in relation to Q3 and your last lap is if you begin pushing the bounds of comfortability and also you’re buying and selling that with method, lap time, and tire harm. It’s a little bit of a psychological sport round right here. It is not nearly taking as a lot danger as you’ll be able to as a result of it is a road observe. There is a ability to it.
Q: (Mariana Becker – TV Bandeirantes) Alex, what are your worries – or the concerns of a driver – when you concentrate on two stops right here? I can simply think about all people going into the pits on the primary or second lap. What do you are concerned about? What are you going to carry to the crew?
AA: I feel the largest factor is – clearly, we’re doing this to shake it up. And the fear is that it would not shake it up and it simply creates, such as you’re saying, a lap-one scenario the place everybody begins to come back into the pits and simply tries to take a number of the house and use lap two, three, 4, 5 – no matter it could be – to push. Who is aware of? The largest factor in the event you converse to the crew, and I feel each strategist, is that we don’t actually know the way it’s going to play out. Particularly within the midfield, it’s team-mates and the way they assist one another. A superb instance can be Jeddah final 12 months with Haas, when Kevin made a race the place he principally parked the bus and allowed Nico to have a free cease. If you do work that round a observe like right here with two stops, that is positively attainable. You do not need a race like that. That’s to not say I feel it’s a foul concept to do a two-stop. I feel we have to strive one thing – however it could not likely change the fashion of the race.
Q: (Diego Mejía – Fox Sports activities Mexico) Many occasions this 12 months – and final time at Imola – you had a poor Friday. You had been overtaken by the McLarens in your race run, however but you managed to be preventing for pole and win the race. Why is it that so many occasions the baseline is so out of the window and abruptly you are in a position to come again so robust in the direction of qualifying? And the way necessary is the job that the drivers on the sim do?
MV: I want I knew why the Fridays aren’t at all times nice. We don’t do it on objective, I swear. However it’s been a bit tougher simply to get the automobile in the appropriate window. I do suppose we realized fairly a bit really in Imola – what we would like from the automobile. It is not at all times straightforward to extract that now on a road circuit in comparison with Imola, nevertheless it was a really helpful lesson. It gave me extra confidence to push. We do numerous simulator work. Though we’ve got the simulator drivers, we talk what we would like from the automobile, what we want. Sadly, our automobile during the last 12 months and a half – possibly two years – has most likely had fairly a slender window. As quickly as you are just a little bit left or proper, it turns into fairly a bit tougher to drive. That most likely interprets to a poor Friday. However the crew is sweet at analysing and making the appropriate requires the following day. So, more often than not, we enhance the scenario – and in Imola, it improved rather a lot.
Q: (Panagiotis Seitanidis – Ant1 TV) A query for all three. You all have contracts for subsequent 12 months with the identical groups and you should have completely different engines subsequent 12 months. From what you’ll be able to share, how assured do you are feeling about subsequent season and the way a lot are you already concerned in what your groups are doing for 2026? Possibly implementing new concepts and stuff. Max, let’s begin with you.
MV: Yeah. Simply the previous couple of days, I used to be nonetheless on the manufacturing unit designing the piston. So, yeah, I
suppose we discovered compromise. Now, I feel it should be a rocket ship. So, we’re prepared! Truthfully, I feel nobody – in fact, you’ll be able to at all times be very assured in what you are doing, however on the finish of the day, it doesn’t matter. It issues what you ship subsequent 12 months. So we’ll see. Time will inform.
AA: Yeah, I feel particularly if we’re not a manufacturing unit crew, then we’re much more out of the loop than possibly a crew like Crimson Bull can be. However on the identical time, ultimately, it is simply extra self-centred round our automobile. We’re extra targeted round that – making an attempt to ship the most effective automobile we are able to. The PU is the PU. It is virtually the second section. [inaudible question] When it comes to a design viewpoint, sure. From what I perceive, we’re fairly clued up on the place the geometry of the automobile goes to be. However that’s about it.
Q: Alex, how a lot 2026 sim work are you doing now?
AA: We have solely actually scratched the floor lately, and we’ll positively ramp it up because the season goes on. For now, I feel additionally as a result of we have had begin to the 12 months to this point, we’re possibly just a little bit extra targeted on doing extra prep towards the weekends themselves. Our time on the sim is sort of precious, and to this point, we have shifted it just a little bit extra in the direction of this 12 months for now.
Q: Gabriel?
GB: I feel it’s a bit troublesome to know at this stage. It’s a bit too early, additionally evaluating to different groups. Typically I attempt to ask Max, however he by no means tells me how they’re doing with engine and automobile.
MV: If you happen to inform me what you do, I can inform you just a little little bit of what I do.
GB: However I feel we’re in a special scenario proper now. You’ll be able to assist me greater than I can.
MV: I’ll make it easier to with the sim driving. I put the banker lap, and then you definitely spend 100 laps to beat it, after which we proceed.
GB: That’s not true. I don’t spend 100 laps. Solely fifty! Anyway, I feel we’re nonetheless in an early stage. Some sim drivers are doing the work already within the sim for fairly some time. However we’re nonetheless specializing in 2025 and making an attempt to enhance a bit our automobile for now. I feel it gained’t take too lengthy earlier than Nico and I begin to do the right work for 2026 as properly within the sim and perceive the place we’re.
Q: (Ian Parkes – RacingNews365) Query for you, Max. At this stage of the season, it is very a lot wanting like a two McLaren versus one Crimson Bull battle for the Drivers’ title. How a lot would you now like Yuki Tsunoda to step as much as the plate – not solely to offer the crew with nice strategic choices that will help you out, but in addition doubtlessly to offer you a little bit of defence going up in opposition to Oscar and Lando?
MV: Nicely, I feel as a crew you need each vehicles in the absolute best place. However take a look at 2023, for instance. If we’ve got automobile, you may be quick after which it would not matter what the opposite groups do when it comes to technique as a result of you’ll beat them. We now have to make it possible for we put ourselves again in that place. For the time being, typically it really works – in Imola, it was nice. When the automobile is working and you might be snug with what you’re doing, then it would not matter what the opposite methods are from the opposite vehicles or groups round you since you simply comply with your personal strongest technique. However naturally, as a crew, we wish to end one-two each single weekend – however that is robust in the mean time. We now have very robust competitors. McLaren is doing an awesome job. So we simply maintain working, making an attempt to enhance – for myself, for Yuki – and we’ll see within the coming races what we are able to do.
Q: (Alan Baldwin – Reuters) Max, I feel you had been the one driver who missed the screening of the film final night time. I do know there are apparent causes with a younger child and home life, however are you planning on watching the film? Are you interested by it?
MV: Yeah. I notified FOM about that. They had been properly conscious that I wasn’t attending. I needed to spend extra non-public time, as a result of it’s non-public time on the finish of the day – the night additionally. I feel it’s popping out on June 27? I’ll obtain it on Apple. So yeah. After all, I get it – there was the chance to look at it, but when I watch it now or in three or 4 weeks, that’s nice as properly. I heard good things from the film, so I’m certain it’s going to be thrilling.
Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Max, I do know you are possibly not the largest fan of occasions like Miami and Vegas, which have put extra deal with the present than the spectacle on the observe. However do you are feeling Monaco – simply with the historical past and every thing – nonetheless has that stability proper? Is it nonetheless the historical past that buys into this being a very nice race?
MV: From once I began to now, I do not suppose it has modified loads. It’s totally thrilling. Like I defined earlier than, the format – the qualifying – is essential. The observe, like I mentioned, is slender. These vehicles that we’ve got at the moment are, for me personally, just a little bit too massive. It might be higher if we return to some smaller, narrower vehicles. I feel that might solely assist racing right here round Monaco. Hopefully, we are able to obtain {that a} bit. I do know the approaching vehicles are going to be just a little bit smaller, however I feel it’s nonetheless not sufficient. Hopefully, sooner or later we are able to attempt to make them smaller once more. However we’ll see.
Q: (Carlo Platella – Method Ardour) Max, final 12 months you had been complaining rather a lot a few automobile that was leaping throughout. You described it as a go-kart. Do you count on the brand new automobile has improved on this space?
MV: Yeah. I do not know, actually. I suppose we’ll discover out tomorrow. However it’s a indisputable fact that that is usually not our robust level. We’ll see. I don’t know the way it will reply.
Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto.it) Query for Max. Is consistency the important thing to conserving your hopes alive for the title? And if that’s the case, how troublesome is it to be per a automobile with such a slender working window?
MV: I feel, in fact, if you wish to win a championship, it’s important to be constant anyway. However I feel what we’ve got to deal with is simply efficiency. The extra efficiency we’ve got, the better we make it for ourselves. That’s what we’re making an attempt to do – discovering extra efficiency in our automobile, higher tire life, all these sorts of issues collectively. That’s our focus now for the remainder of the 12 months. I imply, everyone seems to be doing that, however we would like extra.
Q: (Giuseppe Marino – Motorionline.com) Max, I feel that you’re driving higher than ever. Is that this your finest second in Method 1 for you?
MV: Yeah. I imply, it is going properly. However that is one thing that I feel you’ll be able to’t persistently ask of your self. You wish to attempt to enhance. Some weekends are higher than others. However total, I’m fairly happy. However you too can not be absolutely happy. You at all times analyze every thing that may be finished higher – even on the optimistic weekends, however naturally additionally on the destructive ones. And I am certain you by no means cease studying in Method One.
Q: (Rodrigo França – Automotive Journal Brazil) Query to Max and in addition a remark for Gabriel. Max, you appear to assist Gabriel loads, like a younger brother. In Brazil, we are saying there is a little bit of a bromance between you two. Gabi, are you able to remark in your older brother saying he is sooner than you on the sim?
GB: That is a lie, to begin with. It relies upon. After we drive collectively, I begin beating him, then he goes and modifications the entire set-up of the automobile to make it troublesome. Then I spend a few hours making an attempt to beat his lap time, and he goes round telling everybody, “I beat Gabi and he’s taken me two hours to beat me once more”. So…
MV: Yeah. I imply, it is good. I just like the competitors. We used to do that already when Gabi was nonetheless in F3, F2. Now it is good – each of us are in Method 1. At any time when we’ve got free time, we race. After all, with the Method 1 vehicles, but in addition any type of gaming to be trustworthy. It’s nice that you are able to do that as drivers collectively. Gabi had fairly an identical path to F1. He began in karting with CRG. He was telling me tales with the boss, with Giancarlo on the time – who I additionally grew up with. So, it is very good. Wherever I can say one thing or advise, I feel I am fairly an open guide, so I do this. And in addition to that, the wholesome rivalry we’ve got once we are on the simulator getting ready for a weekend or no matter – it’s good. You do battles, scorching lapping on the identical time, making an attempt to beat one another. It is enjoyable.
Q: Can we see you two as teammates in sim racing sooner or later?
MV: Nicely, yeah, it depends upon Gabi. I’m already competing. It’s extra about his free time and what he needs to dedicate.
GB: No, I’m already spending numerous time on sim racing as properly. However, yeah, why not? If Max invitations me to do some endurance racing, I’m completely satisfied to do it.
