Verstappen wants to make the difference here: 'You have to get the most out of it'

Now that he is only one point behind defending champion Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen will be looking to get the best out of the race. During the usual press conference prior to the first practice session, the Dutchman explained the situation.

Hamilton and Verstappen battle for the title

Formula 1 fans are hoping to see a real title fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton this year, and with just one point difference in the championship standings, it's closer than ever this season. Verstappen himself, however, is not thinking too much ahead just yet. "We have a long year ahead of us so I'm not thinking too much about it yet and just want to do as well as I can every weekend," he quoted Formule1.com the press conference.

No matter how the rest of the season goes, there will probably be a lot of exciting races. Verstappen also sees that Mercedes and Red Bull Racing are a close match. "It's so close between us and Mercedes that you have to get the maximum out of the car to make a difference," said Verstappen, who this time fulfilled his press obligations alongside Nikita Mazepin.

Taking less risk

In the press conference, the comment is made that in the fight for the title, the title rivals still sometimes collide with each other. "Then let's try to avoid that, " Verstappen replies briefly but firmly. "By the way, I do think that as a title contender you take a little less risk than when you have less to lose."