F1 News
Steiner believes Verstappen makes the difference: 'He has to fight now'
- Estéban den Toom
Max Verstappen had to work hard for his victory in Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya but was eventually able to triumph at the Spanish Grand Prix. In Austria too, with pole position during the sprint race, things are looking good for the Red Bull driver. Guenther Steiner, ex-Haas team principal, sees Verstappen involved in many battles at the track which bares Red Bull's name this weekend.
The infamous former Haas team boss knows that the Dutchman is working harder for his wins this season, he told Ziggo Sport's Race Café. "I think he has to fight for it now, but he enjoys it. You can see him after the race, he enjoys it. It's like, if you think about it, it's normal because everyone said to him: you just have the best car. All you have to do is sit in it and drive it and you win. No, it's not that easy. Now we can show that he can do more than just that," Steiner said.
Has McLaren already overtaken Red Bull?
During qualifying for the sprint race in Spielberg, the reigning world champion was fastest, but Red Bull seems to be facing increasing competition from McLaren. Thus, it remains to be seen whether the Austrian constructor's RB20 is the fastest car, or whether McLaren now has the best car. Steiner believes that McLaren's MCL38 challenger is the best all-rounder at the moment.
"It seems the McLaren is on average the best car at the moment. Average, it seems. But it's very close with the Red Bull. I mean, it's not (black and white). It is very close everywhere and it also just depends on the daily form, how they get the set-up together and how the drivers perform," the Italian concluded.