Verstappen relaxed: "So then I just have to brake a bit later"

This year's Mexican Grand Prix seems to be dominated by a renewed battle between Mercedes and Red Bull Racing. While Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez start from first and fourth respectively, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton grabbed the two intermediate positions in qualifying. Verstappen, therefore, thinks he is not going to have an easy time.

The Mexican circuit is known for its long distance to the first corner. Indeed, from the start the drivers have to cover eight hundred metres towards the first corner, putting Verstappen at a clear disadvantage as the first driver. However, the two-time world champion is not worried about that.

"So then I just have to brake a bit later," Verstappen argues to De Telegraaf. "I'd rather be on pole than start second or third. Also here. Of course those others might have that slipstream, but hopefully, with our top speed I can then just stay ahead of them."

Verstappen expects strong Mercedes

Ferrari also seemed to be Red Bull's formidable opponent this race weekend, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was Mercedes that seemed to come close to Verstappen's time with Russell, although the Briton eventually let it slip and was three-tenths slower as a result.

Verstappen thinks the German formation will also do well in the race. "You can see that Mercedes is faster this year when it comes more to downforce. And in the race their speed is often fine as well, but of course the same goes for us."