Max Verstappen does not see this weekend’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix as an “away game” despite not being a fan favourite at Silverstone.
The two-time world champion’s incident with Lewis Hamilton at this race two years ago triggered the rivalry between the pair and this is where the Mercedes driver is most supported.
But Verstappen was keen to remind everyone that this is the team’s home event so it is far from an away game from his and Red Bull’s point of view.
“I don’t know if the crowd is against me, it’s not an away game, it’s our home race,” Verstappen told the media, including Total-Motorsport.com, ahead of the British GP.
“It’s an important race for us and I don’t see it as I have to prove something against the crowd, I’m just here to have a good race and try to win it.”
Never been so nervous
After his dominant victory at the Austrian GP, Verstappen stayed awake into the early hours of Monday morning to watch his good friend and sim racing teammate Shane Van Gisbergen win on his NASCAR debut.
The Dutchman admitted that he was a nervous wreck watching the race on the streets of Chicago while gushing over the reigning Supercars champion in Australia.
“I watched it,” Verstappen added. “I stayed up to watch it and I’ve never been so nervous watching someone else race.
“I was literally screaming at the TV for him to win that. It’s really, really impressive to jump in a car you don’t know, they’re very hard cars to drive, and he just dominates.
“I know he’s a great driver, I know what he’s capable of and I know how good he is at different disciplines. He’s great in V8s, that’s what he knows and he’s great in a rally car as well.”
