Verstappen will not accept this challenge: "I am too slow and too old"

Formula 1 is facing the final sprint weekend of the 2023 season. Max Verstappen will be relieved when it is over, as the Dutchman has by no means changed his mind about the format. The format of the F1 weekend may mean that other teams will be closer, he stressed ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Besides the extra challenge brought by the sprint weekend, the GP in Interlagos was the only one Mercedes managed to win last year. "Last year, we didn't have a great race weekend here. The sprint format, it makes it quite difficult to be on top of things," Verstappen said.

"We had a few ideas why last year was not that great. But one practice session to make sure that it is better this year. I think there is a lot of high deg here and the way you have to set up the car. A lot of low-speed corners. I don't think our car is particularly amazing in the low-speed corners," he explained.

It was recently announced that Red Bull Racing and Team Redline are joining forces for a collaboration in esports. "I’ve got my own eSports team and Red Bull as well, so basically we merged for a few particular platforms. I think the most important one is F1 eSports, we'll take over the performance side of things. Very exciting stuff ahead. I think we all have a lot of great drivers in the team, so putting that force together I think is very exciting and hopefully we can we can do well," Verstappen said.

Will he be racing in the esports team himself? "Not in F1 eSports, I'm too slow. I am too old," said the three-time world champion.