The visual challenge Max Verstappen has discovered in new F1 rules
Among the changes this year as part of F1’s rules revolution to bring the field closer together and improve the racing spectacle is the introduction of 18-inch wh🔜eels and lower-profile tyres.
While the dr🎃ivers are yet to try out the new generation of cars for real, many have been conducting running in their team's simulators to familiarise the꧙mselves with their new machines and get up to speed ahead of the new season.
Speaking at the launch of Red Bull’s RB18 car on Wednesday, Verstappen pinpointed the view from the cockpit as the biggest earlyꦇ difference he noticed.
“I haven’t really driven it too much,” sai✤d Verstappen. “For me, the biggest thing is actually the view from the c💎ockpit with these bigger tyres.
“To hit an ape♎x in some tight corners is a bit more difficult. The driving just feels like the car has a bit less grip, but you will get used to that.
“That’s why we have the practice days to get used to the sliding and locking and things like that. I think it should be fine, it’s just getting a biꦬt more used to the view in the cockpit because the tyres are bigger.
“Of course we are running bigger whee🍌ls so the tyres increase, so that will make 🔯it a little more tricky.”
Despite going i༺nto a season as the reigning world champion for the fi❀rst time in his F1 career, Verstappen insists he is feeling no extra pressure.
“Of course as a driver, with the new regulations, you have to get used to the car - it’s not like yo𝓀u can jump in and it’s an upgrade from last year,” he explained.
“So that is going to ඣbe the biggest adaptation, but the꧒ rest is pretty straightforward.
“I don’t feel any extra press𒐪ure this season, I will just do what I do all the time because I d🌌on’t think there is any reason to be different.”
And Verstappen feels in the best shape po🐠ssible to tackle F1’s new era.
“A lot is u෴nknown about the car,” he added🎐. “But personally I feel good.
“What is important is that you prepare yourself the best way poss𝐆ible physically but in terms of the car yo🧔u don’t know.
“So that’s why I’m al꧅so very curiou🍰s to see how the car is behaving on track.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around t𝓡he world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
