The visual challenge Max Verstappen has discovered in new F1 rules
Amongꦰ 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 wheels and lower-profile tyres.
While the drivers are yet to try out the new generation of cars for real, many have been conducting running i⛄n their team's simulators to familiarise themselves 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 th🐲e cockpit as the biggest early difference he nꦺoticed.
“I haven’t really driven it too much,” said Verstappen. “For me, the biggest thing is 🌺actually the view from the cockpit with these bigger tyres.
“To hit an apex in some ti൩ght 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 thinkཧ it should be fine, it’s just getting a bit more used to the view in the cockpit because the tyres are bigger.
“Of course ౠwe are running bigger wheels so the tyres increase, so💧 that will make it a little more tricky.”
Despite going into a season as the 🐬reigning world champion for the first time in his F1 career, Verstappen insists he is feeling no extra pressu🎃re.
“O🌊f course as a driver, with the new regulations, you have to get used to the car - it’s not like you can jump in and it’s an upgrade from last year,” he explained.
“So that is going to be the b🦂iggest adaptation,🌊 but the rest is pretty straightforward.
“I don’t feel any extra pressure this season, I will just do what I do all the time becau🍸se I don’t think there is any reason t൲o be different.”
And Verstappen feels in the best shape possible to ta🎃ckle F1’s new era. 🀅;
“A lot is unknown about the car,” he ꦜadded. “But personally I feel good.
“What ওis important is that you prepare yourself the ♔best way possible physically but in terms of the car you don’t know.
“So that’s why I’m also very curꦿ♏ious to see how the car is behaving on track.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for wuqian0821.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the pe♐ople w🎃ho matter in the sport.
