Max Verstappen says Purple Bull are “assured” they’ve made the proper modifications to their automotive as he seeks a fifth consecutive drivers’ title.
Verstappen’s fourth crown final yr was based on a dominant interval within the first 5 races earlier than .
The Dutchman drove an excellent season to defend his lead from Lando Norris, when the Briton’s McLaren was the sooner automotive within the second half of the yr.
Verstappen mentioned: “The event route we selected on the time confirmed quite a lot of promise, however sadly it did not work like that on observe so we needed to change a number of issues.
“Now let’s hope that’s the proper route. We’re assured it’s the proper route however let’s examine how a lot we will extract out of it for this last season with this automotive.”
The brand new automotive, the RB21, will run for the primary time in a brief ‘filming day’ check in Bahrain on Tuesday earlier than the official pre-season check begins on the identical observe on Wednesday.
Purple Bull have launched some official pictures of the automotive however they had been taken in a studio and the automotive has been shot in low mild, so any vital aerodynamic particulars are obscured.
Verstappen mentioned: “My motivation is there. Final yr was not easy however we nonetheless gained the championship. I’m very excited to look forward and hopefully we will enhance our automotive, and that may be a motivation in itself.”
If he turns into champion once more, he can be solely the second driver in F1 historical past to win 5 titles in a row, after Michael Schumacher.
It’s the first time since 2005 that Purple Bull have gone right into a season with out their design chief Adrian Newey. The design legend is becoming a member of Aston Martin on 3 March.
Verstappen mentioned: “I do not suppose we must always take into consideration that an excessive amount of. It’s performed. He isn’t there any extra. That is how it’s. It is the way it’s been final yr and I belief additionally the people who find themselves there in the mean time, we have now to do all of it collectively.
“It’s a staff effort however I’ve quite a lot of respect for what Adrian has performed for the staff, have an awesome relationship with Adrian and I’m excited for him to begin a brand new mission.”
Verstappen has a brand new team-mate this season in New Zealander Liam Lawson, after Sergio Perez was paid off final December following a second consecutive disappointing season.
Lawson has made it clear he is aware of his job is to assist Verstappen as a lot as attainable.
“The staff’s purpose is to win the constructors’ (championship) and clearly they weren’t in a position to do this final yr, and that is the clear purpose going into this yr,” Lawson mentioned.
“So clearly we’re doing the perfect job we will to make the automotive as quick as attainable, and for me if we’re able that we’re combating for profitable the constructors’ then I am doing my job.
“That is actually the place the staff’s purpose for me and their expectation for me is at, outdoors of clearly my objectives for Components 1.”
