Verstappen: Red Bull not planning strategic grid penalties in 2020

  • Published on 26 Feb 2020 08:03
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Max Verstappen is confident that Honda is making enough progress to avoid taking grid penalties during the 2020 season.

Red Bull and Honda enter their second season in partnership, following on from a successful 2019 campaign that saw it take three race wins together. 

The energy drink squad has his sights set on a world championship in 2020, with it being the final year that Verstappen can become the youngest driver to win a title.

In 2019, Red Bull took grid penalties at certain events following the introduction of upgrades, however Verstappen is more confident that the team can avoid demotions this year.

“Well last year we took penalties because we had significant upgrades. That was the reason for us to take those engines,” Verstappen said. 

“This year we’ll try to not take any penalties but so far, the engine is running very smooth and it’s all looking very good. In terms of mileage it’s all going well and throughout the winter we’ve been looking to make it to those seven weekends.”

'Following other cars is impossible'

The 2020 F1 cars are set to be the fastest ever seen in the sport, as the levels of downforce increase due stabilisation in the regulations before a major change in 2021.

Verstappen is expecting lap records to be broken throughout the year, but believes that the difficulty of following another car will only increase in 2020.

“It’s great to do lap records but to be honest I prefer to do good racing. The cars are amazing to drive, they’re super fast,” the Dutchman said.  

“We’ll break some lap records but when you are following a car, it is impossible. You get such a big downforce loss and every year the car is getting faster, so it gets worse and worse.

”So for next year, the cars will not be as enjoyable to drive but I just hope that the racing will get better.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,697
  • Podiums 102
  • Grand Prix 190
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar