PART TWO – Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren), Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), Yuki TSUNODA (RB)
Q: Max, why don’t we start with you? After the race on Sunday in Mexico, you said your main concern was the pace of the car. Have you and the engineers discovered anything this week that can help you here at Interlagos?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yeah, I think overall the pace over the weekend plus missing of course most of Friday didn’t help. And yeah, you know, Mexico is quite sensitive also to the tyre behaviour. So I hope that we understood a little bit more from that what we can do to be more competitive basically on all tyres.
Q: Do you think though you’re going to be more competitive over one lap in qualifying than you are the race again? Is that your expectation?
MV: Well, this has been a little bit the case for most of the season lately. Yeah, it’s a bit difficult to explain why that is. I don’t think it’s just entirely up to us, but we’ll see. I mean, we’ll try to be as competitive as we can be, and every track is a bit different. Also here, new tarmac, so again, it’s a few question marks.
Q: What about the wheel-to-wheel racing this weekend? A lot has been said, a lot has been written since Mexico. Are you going to change the way you go racing this weekend?
MV: Yeah, I’ve heard that before in my career, so it’s my tenth year in Formula 1, I think I know what I’m doing.
Q: OK, final one from me. Can you just clarify the situation with your power unit? Are you going to be taking a penalty this weekend?
MV: I haven’t heard anything yet. It’s not discussed, but I know that I will have to take one at some point. So we’ll see.
Q: Alright. Max, thank you. I’m sure there’ll be more questions for you in a minute. Oscar, coming to you now. Great recovery. drive by you in Mexico last weekend. Were you happier with the car there than you were in Austin?
Oscar PIASTRI: Yeah, quite a lot happier. I think in Austin we had a car that was quick but very, very difficult to drive. And I think in qualifying, especially, it was tough to get the most out of it. In the race, just going a bit slower with the lap times, it’s maybe a little bit easier to get the pace out of it. But I was much happier in Mexico, which obviously the results don’t reflect. But yeah, felt much more comfortable and, yeah, kind of made qualifying even more of a shame, really. But I would rather, you know, in some ways have a weekend like Mexico where I’m comfortable at least and knowing that I made a mistake rather than a bit more in Austin where just struggling to get the most out of the car.
Q: And what was Lando saying about the new floor?
OP: Good question! I don’t know. Not much, obviously. It’s doing what it’s supposed to do from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen, which is always a good thing. But it’s not transformed the car, I would say. So hopefully it’s just a little improvement.
Q: And what’s the feeling inside McLaren at the minute about the Constructors’ Championship? Ferrari are on a charge. I mean, a couple of races ago, you guys looked very steady out the front. Everyone a bit more nervous now? Do you sense it?
OP: I would say, no. I think we always knew that Ferrari were going to be a threat. And I think, you know, since Monza, basically, they’ve had a very, very quick car. Just some of the weekends, the results haven’t shown it. So for us, it’s not been a huge surprise that they’ve been as quick as they’ve been in the last few weekends, especially. So we’ll see if that run continues. But we knew to expect a fight, definitely. So, yeah, it’s going to be an exciting end to the year in both championships, I think.
Q: Alright. Oscar, thank you very much. More questions for you in a minute, I’m sure. Yuki, let’s go to you now. Now, it’s been a very frustrating run of races for you recently. Do you feel you need a change of luck?
Yuki TSUNODA: Yeah, I think, well, it’s just a part of the career and you have good moments and obviously it’s always bad moments. Yeah, it’s been not helpful from that perspective. Yeah, I try to minimise the distraction and try to focus on the racing. I’m trying to hope that I get luck from that. But yeah, so far it’s not the races I’m having. But every race is a new race week. Not thinking anything about the previous race weeks. Just having a Sprint qualifying race. And yeah, we just focus now on beating Haas.
Q: Well, let’s look at the positives. What are the strengths of your racing car at the moment relative to Haas, do you think?
YT: Well, definitely like, for example, previous race with Mexico, we’re definitely performing better than probably other tracks. Yeah, definitely Haas also picked up pace in the qualifying. So I don’t know if it’s better or worse, but at least we wer similar. And yeah, it’s the race week that probably I shouldn’t miss the opportunity. And there was qualifying that I didn’t go well and didn’t really maximise the opportunity. So definitely it’s on me. And yeah, those things probably, yeah, the package was there, but just I didn’t really maximise it. So I think in terms of car, Mexico was at least similar. Others, I know it’s maybe we’re a little bit behind because I think they’re faster at probably every track so far. But yeah, we’re going to hopefully develop much better in the coming races. And yeah, hopefully we can be at least in a similar level as them.
Q: Alright, look, final one for me. There’s a lot of speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1. Christian Horner even said after the race on Sunday, there comes a time when difficult decisions need to be made. If asked, do you feel ready to go alongside Max in the same car?
YT: Yeah. I think definitely, I mean, it’s always the driver you want to drive with. He’s the best driver so far and he has a lot of skills and definitely would like to learn a lot of things. But also, I would just finish as a learning and yeah, see how it goes. I just focus now on what I have to do. And so far, I’m just not really able to achieve what I want to do. So, yeah. We’ll see how it goes.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN Spain) A question to Max. Max, 10 years in Formula 1 and battling for the fourth title. Is this battle with Lando Norris more motivating or less than the battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021?
MV: I mean, I think every battle is good, you know. I don’t think any is more motivating or whatever. You just try to do the best you can every single time that you go out there, really.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio –Sky Sports Italy) A question to Max. You just said that you know what you are doing, but FIA, with the support of the drivers, is trying to change some driving guidelines. Don’t you feel sometimes a bit alone against everyone and everything, Max?
MV: No, I don’t feel alone at all. I have good friends and family, so I’m good.
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sports Italy) And on track?
MV: I don’t feel alone at all. Also a lot of good people.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Another question to you. When it comes to racing and racing hard and aggression on the track, is that what you as a champion have to do to defend your championship? Is aggression part and parcel of this sport? And your tactics on track, are they justified even when the stewards say you’ve gone over the rules a little bit? Or against the rules a little bit?
MV: I think it’s just you win some, you lose some. That’s how it is in racing in general. And yeah, I like to win. I don’t like to lose. I think not many people like to lose. And I think, yeah, I always just try to maximise the result. And like I said, some you win, some you lose.
Q: (Diego Mejia – Fox Sports Mexico) Question to Max. You had these issues in free practice in Mexico. You didn’t have a long run. In retrospect, from what you learned, how much of the lack of pace in there was due to that, or it was simply that the car didn’t have it?
MV: Well, I think in general we probably lack a little bit of pace, but for sure it could have been a lot better. But unfortunately we didn’t get to really understand that in the long runs. It’s always very painful, especially when it’s a very tight battle with some teams and you’re a bit on the back foot. You need to really maximize everything that you can, and we couldn’t do that in Mexico.
Q: (Margot Laffite – Canal+) Oscar, what is your belief in the fact that Lando can catch Max because you’re driving the leading car?
OP: I mean, I think it’s possible. You know, it’s certainly not an easy task. And, you know, in some ways it’s, you know, it’s up to both drivers. What happens, obviously, it’s, you know, Lando can’t just win every race and have Max finish second because Max will still win. So it depends a bit on the results. You know, it’s obviously a very tight fight with the top three teams and Mercedes occasionally now still, so the swing either way can still be quite big at the moment I would say. I think it’s possible it’s going to be tough but I think it’s doable.
Q: (Albert Fabrega – ESPN LATAM) Max, the Ferraris were so competitive last two races. Do you think that having them fighting for the win every single weekend to the end of the season would help you on the battle for the championship? Or you prefer to stay one-to-one to McLaren and Lando?
MV: I mean, naturally, I would prefer to win by 30 seconds but that’s not possible at the moment. But it’s like Oscar said: it can be positive or negative for you when there are more teams fighting. So sometimes the point swing can be bigger. But I think for the sport, of course, in general, it’s better.
Q: (Gustavo Faldon – Estado de São Paulo) My question goes out to Max. Do you feel more pressure to win this championship than any of the others you’ve won? Because at the beginning of the year, you had a really great car winning all the races. And now suddenly, you’ve seen the other teams catching up.
MV: No, not really. Just try to do the best I can. Yeah. Of course, we want to win. We want to do well, but of course, it also needs to be possible. We still have a good lead. So from my side, just try to enjoy the moment. Try to just always optimise the performance.
Q: (Lawrence Edmondson – ESPN) A question to Max and to Oscar and Yuki if you want to answer. Just on the racing guidelines, are you happy with where they are? Is there an obvious change you think needs to be made to make it clearer when there should be a penalty, when there shouldn’t be a penalty? And if there is an obvious change, what would that be?
MV: I think it’s not that straightforward. Clearly, even between how many seconds that you get, so. I mean, like I said before, sometimes they work for you, sometimes they work against you. I think it’s never going to be perfect because even if you remove rules, then you get into a battle, then you want more rules because it’s not clear what is allowed or not. Then when you have too many rules, you want less rules. It just keeps on going left and right all the time. Do I think it’s over-regulated? Probably yes. I mean, in general, the rule book is only getting bigger and bigger every single year. I don’t think that’s always the right way forward.
Q: Oscar, let’s bring you in on this one.
OP: I mean, I think, yes, there probably are some tweaks that need to be made. And, you know, the FIA has acknowledged that and wants to work with us on that, which is very positive. But I think in general, we’ve got more consistency, maybe some things can still be a bit more consistent, but I think at least for the Stewards, they now have a set of, they actually have a set of guidelines as to what kind of rule should be applied. I think we all agree that the rules may be not perfect and should be changed a bit. But at least we have something to look back to, which we didn’t have before that. So I think things can always be improved. These guidelines haven’t been around for that long in the grand scheme of things. Again, you can’t write rules, especially in racing, that are going to cover every single possibility and situation. So you always do need a kind of subjective steward to add their thoughts. But yes, I think we’re in a much better place than we have been. And the FIA has been very, very supportive of trying to change that with us.
Q: Yuki, please?
YT: Yeah, I think it’s better to also get an opinion by the drivers who actually race in previous years or probably more experienced, I would say. Yeah, even like drivers, if we can find someone that actually, probably all Formula 1 drivers knows and we all know that he’s a driver that we can trust, I’m sure he can have good views or similar views as us. So I think if this feels like now, we just have to stick on guidelines and drive very safely. So yeah, I think we need someone who can advise very fairly and who can trust from our drivers.
Q: (Carlos Costa – Motorsport.com) Oscar, we have Gabriel Bortoleto, the Brazilian driver that is a McLaren Junior. And he’s one of the options for Sauber for 2025. Do you see him ready for the seat? And if Max wants to comment about that as well, being in Brazil frequently, you must have heard from Bortoleto as well, Max.
OP: I think he’s been doing a very impressive job. Obviously winning F3 as a rookie last year and now leading the championship in F2. So yeah, I think from my point of view, when you’re achieving those kind of results, you deserve to be in F1. And I have the personal experience of the pain of not getting a seat. So for his sake, I hope he doesn’t have to go through that. I don’t think anyone will ever go through quite the extent that I did. But I think he’s been doing a very good job. Yeah, if he’s doing it on merit, then I think he deserves a place in F1.
MV: Yeah, I mean, if I was Sauber, I would have signed him already. I mean, especially if that’s anyway the future, you know, young drivers. And ‘26, big rule change. It’s always good to get used to a team already for a year, make your mistakes here and there, get integrated well, understand the car a bit. You always feel much more prepared and comfortable when you then start in ‘26.
Q: (Nigel Chiu – Sky Sports) Do you think out of the remaining tracks, this is the best track to take the engine change?
MV: Honestly, that is something that is always unknown. You think that one particular track is the best place to take an engine or whatever penalty, but it’s never guaranteed. But yeah, it’s a possibility.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Question for Max. Damon Hill this week said he isn’t sure if you’re capable of racing fairly, so I just wanted to get your response to that. And obviously there’s been quite a bit of criticism since the last race about your tactics. Do you think in any way you’re being unfairly targeted?
MV: I don’t listen to those individuals. I just do my thing. I’m a three-time world champion. I think I know what I’m doing.
Q: Do you think you’re being unfairly targeted? Just the second half of that question.
MV: Honestly, I have my opinions. I don’t need to share them.
Q: (Gabriel Oliveira de Souza – Globo.com) My question goes to Max. We know that you don’t like Sprint races very much, even though you hold the record of most Sprint wins. So I would like to hear your thoughts on Brazil as a venue for Sprint races, and how can it affect the battle for the championship?
MV: Yeah, well, I mean, I always enjoy being in Brazil in general. The track is great. Also, it’s going to be very interesting now with the new tarmac, grip-wise, what it’s going to give. Sprint race or not, I mean, that doesn’t matter. Can it shake things up a little bit more, potentially? But also, I mean, we have to keep an eye on the weather as well at the same time. So I’m fine. I’m just happy to be here. It doesn’t matter in what kind of format.
Q: (Sabrina Faija – Clarin) For Yuki or Max, there are rumours that may join the Red Bull family. What advice would you give them?
YT: I mean, he’s definitely doing a good job. And I mean, to be honest, I don’t know much about those things. And yeah, I didn’t see much. Yeah, definitely. It’s actually, if it’s not an option, I’ll be surprised, right? Because he’s doing well and he don’t have so far, he don’t have a seat so far for next season. And if he’s fast, I’m thinking for all the teams he will be an option who don’t have selected a seat yet for next year. So yeah, I think so.
MV: Yeah, I mean, it’s complicated to answer that because he’s still contracted to Williams. And of course, he’s doing a great job. I think also Williams is probably scratching their heads a bit about what to do with Franco. But for me personally, it just shows that I think teams in general just need to be more open to put young talents in and trust them. Because now you have this kind of situation where he’s a Williams junior and potentially has to leave or try to find luck elsewhere, right? While, they could have put him in the car. So, yeah, it’s complicated. I mean, whatever he decides or his management decides to do, I mean, does he deserve a spot on the grid? I think with what he has shown so far, yes. But, yeah, it’s not easy to find a spot at the moment.
Q: Max, can I ask you about Africa very briefly? It looks like you’re going to be heading to the FIA Awards in Rwanda in a couple of months’ time. Lewis has just been speaking about a Grand Prix in Africa, saying that he would love it to happen while he’s still racing. Are you looking forward to going to Rwanda? Are you looking to get a Grand Prix in Africa as well?
MV: Yeah, I mean, in general, I mean, I think it would be great to have a race on every continent that we have. And I know that it was almost happening and then it didn’t. So, yeah, of course, would be great to have a race and you’re going to run. I’m sure they are putting a lot of time and money in it, you know, to make it a success and also promote the country. So for sure.
Q: (Filip Cleeren – Motosport.com) For Oscar, please. Just to follow up on the guidelines, after the Mexico briefing, it seems like more and more drivers were dive-bombing the apex, because that’s what the guidelines seem to allow. Is that something you notice as well? And you think that’s going to keep happening until the change?
OP: Not massively, I don’t think. I mean, personally, I didn’t think it was that much different. It depends on, I guess, sometimes the people involved. And not everyone races in exactly the same way. I think we’re all very, very hard. But I didn’t really notice a change, personally. There was obviously the contact with Liam and Checo, which was very, very hard. But I don’t think it really changes. You know, there are these guidelines out there, but I think, you know, there’s a few kind of principles, I guess, we have as drivers, which is one, you don’t really want to crash the car because it hurts and it costs money. And also, you don’t want anyone to overtake you. So to then think in the moment that, ‘I’m just going to release the brakes to get ahead at the apex and not worry about the consequences’ or whatever, like, it goes a bit further than just what’s written on a piece of paper, I think. Maybe some people will race a bit differently with some of the Stewards’ decisions, but that happens with every incident. It kind of sets a precedent no matter what it is. So I don’t think it will change that much, but we’ll see.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Max, I just want to go back to an answer to Phil’s question. You’re a three-time world champion, absolutely, but we’re never too old to learn new things. Who do you listen to? Who are your advisors? Whose advice do you respect and trust the most? Who guides you when it comes to racing?
MV: People that are objective and close to me and not just there to stir… I can’t say the word, because I’ll probably get another… I mean, apparently it only counts for me anyway, because, you know, after the race in Mexico, someone was swearing. I didn’t hear anything from it. So, it’s better I don’t swear again. But, yeah, you know, some people are just being very annoying. And I know who these people are. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to them anyway. And I think I’ve got to this stage in my career with the right people supporting me and making my own decisions. Yeah, so I think I know what I’m doing.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Who are these people?
MV: Good people, with a good heart.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) From the outside, we don’t know.
MV: Yeah, but I know. That’s the most important. You know, some people are just a bit biased. And I mean, I get it. It’s fine. But it’s not my problem at the end of the day. You know, I just continue with my life and I keep performing.
Q: (Gabriel Carvalho – Grande Premio) My question is for Max. Max, Checo hasn’t scored a podium since China. Sometimes, do you think you’re a little bit lonely in this fight? We know we’ve seen a good McLaren pair, a good Ferrari pair, but Pérez has been struggling so much this year. Do you feel lonely at Red Bull right now?
MV: Well, I think since China, you know, for us it’s anyway been quite difficult. Other teams have definitely caught up. They have had quite good performance upgrades. And even for me it’s been hard to be on the podium consistently. So, yeah, I think as long, you know, we improve our card and it will also help Checo, naturally. So that’s what we’re trying to work on.
Q: (Gabriel Araujo – Reuters) Max, is your three-time world champion father-in-law someone who listens to you? And if so, what does he say to you?
MV: We don’t really talk about Formula 1 too much. I don’t think he wants to. I don’t think I want to. We talk about other stuff in life, which is anyway way more important.
Q: (Carlos Costa – Motorsport.com) Max, going back to David’s question, could you name some advisors? I believe your father, but anyone else that you could name?
MV: Well, there are many, but there’s no need to name them right here. I mean, I just trust the people around me that are honest with me and that have a good heart, you know, that mean well and not just there to stir some kind of stuff. Yeah, that’s how I’ll name it.
