Max Verstappen is looking at contesting his second Monaco Grand Prix as a Red Bull Racing driver, his second ‘home' event after joining most of his fellow Formula One drivers in moving to the Principality. While his real home circuit, which he visited with the Red Bull Racing team last weekend, is Zandvoort in Holland, Monaco is now home.
With the new cars for 2017, this weekend's race is sure to throw up some interesting challenges, especially with the increased width of the cars combines with the narrow twisty streets of Monaco. However, this is a challenge that Max is more than ready for…
You embraced age-old F1 tradition last year by moving to the mean streets of Monaco. Are you enjoying life in the Principality?
I've been living in Monaco for just over a year now and I've really enjoyed every minute of it. I have a good crew of friends, which means we always have plenty of fun. It is also nice being able to train in the Mediterranean sun, and experience the nightlife... in the off season.
The Circuit de Monaco is always referred to as the track that emphasises driver skill more than any other. That's great if you get it right, but punishing if you make the slightest mistake. Is there a trick to finding the limit in Monaco?
Preparation for Monaco is a little different, you definitely build up a little bit slower throughout the weekend and pace yourself. It's important to find the limit carefully. With the new cars I think the chicane around the swimming pool will be the most challenging corner this year.
As you work your way into the weekend, what's the balance between risk and reward?
There is no such thing as a low-risk lap in Monaco, it doesn't exist if you want to be fast because you have to be on the limit. Last year's crash was very unfortunate but it doesn't affect my confidence heading back there, it just makes me want to do better this year and learn from my mistakes. We still have a lot to learn from the car in terms of setup as it is always developing and we haven't driven it on a tight street circuit yet.
