Verstappen: 'This week hasn't been good to us'

Max Verstappen got pole position during the first sprint race in Formula 1 yesterday. Lewis Hamilton had a bad start and didn't come close enough to make things difficult for the Dutchman.

During the press conference of the FIA Verstappen tells what he learned in the sprint race for today's race.

"I think what we learned today is that it’s very close again. It’s a bit different. It seems like we are quick through corners, they are quick on the straight this weekend and, of course, after one free practice session, and then you’re not allowed to make any changes and you don’t get it right, then you’re a bit stuck. So I think we’re a bit stuck on the straight, so that’s why we have to make up our time in the corners."

New format is wrong

The Dutchman is not very happy with the new race weekend format. If the Dutchman could change anything about the car he would. "I think we have to look a little bit at the schedule because, to do an FP2 session and you’re not allowed to change the car is a bit wrong, in my opinion. It’s a bit of luck sometimes now if we keep this format going, for sprint races that you only have one free practice to nail the set-up."

The drivers have one practice session on Friday before qualifying. After this qualifying session, nothing more can be changed to the car, which makes the second free practice session on Saturday a bit pointless.

"Of course sometimes it will work in your favour and sometimes it will work against you. I think so far this week it hasn’t really been good to us – but of course, we always have to look at ourselves to make sure we could do better – but if I could do it again, yeah, for sure, I would choose for a bit more top speed," Verstappen said.