Verstappen looks ahead to the race: 'Hopefully we can put it right today'

Max Verstappen will have to open the battle against the two Mercedes drivers from third place today. Next to him is teammate Sergio Perez, but the Dutchman will have more to gain at least a single spot with a good start, so they can play it out strategically with Mercedes. In the Build-Up to the Portuguese Grand Prix, Verstappen explains his expectations.

"We just have to try and have a good start and from there we just have to see how competitive we are against Mercedes. I do hope it will be exciting. I think it's pretty equal between Mercedes and us when you look at tyre choice. There's not a lot you can do in that area. We'll just have to be quick," the Dutchman said.

Avoiding a 2020 scenario between Perez and Verstappen

"It's difficult to follow each other though and because of the lack of grip it's even more difficult to overtake each other. We'll have to see how it goes. I hope we can stay close." In Imola Verstappen won the race at the first corner, due to a good start. However, he does not want to give any guarantees of a repeat of a strong start. "There are never any guarantees. Every weekend you have to do it right again and we will have to do that again now."

Last year Verstappen and Sergio Perez hit each other at the fourth corner and when asked about that incident Verstappen is clear. "Why does that always have to be brought up again?" The Dutchman is more likely to see them fighting together against Mercedes. "Of course yesterday was not optimal, but we have enough chances today to put it right," said Verstappen.