Max Verstappen finished Friday (11) in Madring without a great performance, but also without hiding that the new Madrid circuit is not among his Formula 1 favorites. The four-time Red Bull champion was the sixth fastest in FP2, four tenths behind Kimi Antonelli, and pointed out the car’s balance as one of the main points to work on.
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For Verstappen, Red Bull is more or less where he expected, but there is still work ahead: “On our side, it’s more or less where we are. I just need to work a bit on the balance, try to get a bit more out of it in one lap and then see how the tires behave in the long race. I think everyone is more or less in the same boat.”
The driver also had steering problems during FP2, but hopes the situation will be resolved by the team. “It’s all drivable, but it didn’t have the same feel, but they will fix it.”
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Regarding Madring, Verstappen explained why the circuit did not fully convince him. Although he praised the way the new venue was built, the Dutchman emphasized that his preference remains for traditional tracks, such as Spa-Francorchamps, home of the Belgian GP.
“I’m not a fan of street circuits, so that will never change. I will always prefer to drive on a track like Spa. But I mean, what they did and the way they built everything, I think they did a very good job, but I’m not a fan of street circuits,” concluded the driver.
