Awe of Verstappen: 'He can do that better than all of us put together'

Max Verstappen has gained a Dutchman at Red Bull Racing since this year. Rudy van Buren has, in fact, been taking on the simulator work since recently. Where he takes on an important part, he states in conversation with the Algemeen Dagblad that Verstappen needs little advice.

Both men are by no means strangers to each other. Indeed, on behalf of Team Redline, which is a virtual racing team that competes in online motorsport races, Verstappen and Van Buren have been in action many times before. So at Red Bull, they are working together again.

Simulator work is becoming increasingly important for Formula 1 teams, but that does not mean Van Buren can teach his compatriot much. "Totally not. Max himself knows very well how to drive fast. In fact, he can do that better than all of us put together," he responds.

According to Van Buren, his contribution varies per race weekend. "There are also weekends, like the last race at Monza, where the car goes like a bullet right from the first free practice," he says. "The same goes for Spa-Francorchamps. There he was also strong from the first metre, but so that is not always the case. Take Hungary. There the car didn't run at all. And so you have to get going."

Van Buren tries to take responsibility

Earlier, the Dutchman stressed that his work is focused on both Sergio Perez and Verstappen. However, he has little contact with both men during a Grand Prix, while communication with the engineers needs to be intensified in the coming period.