Verstappen explains his choice to change engine
Verstappen will start last at the Russian Grand Prix. He is changing his engine, as well as several components of his car. After the second free practice session, the Dutch driver explains Red Bull's choice.
After two difficult free practice sessions for Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the Austrian team decided to change the engine and some components on the championship leader’s car.
It wasn’t really a surprise. We were just waiting for the moment when Red Bull would decide to switch to a fourth engine. With all the accidents, especially the one in Silverstone, the team had to make a choice and took advantage of Verstappen’s three-place penalty received at Monza to do it. After the second session, the Dutchman stated that this change was not related to Friday’s results, but to the weather that might deteriorate for the rest of the weekend « Not just for the results. I said earlier that we will take everything into account, also the weather for tomorrow. So we thought it would be better to do it here », he said.
In the company of Leclerc, Verstappen will therefore have to make several overtakes to quickly catch up with Hamilton. The title could be decided on the Sochi track. The Red Bull driver has the experience to achieve this performance. He had already done it in 2018 on the same circuit, where he had started in 19th place to finish 5th. However, he does not think he will replicate this feat this Sunday. « In 2018, the gaps with the midfield were a little bigger. I think it will be a little harder to overtake, but we still have to try. If we hadn’t won here [with the engine], we would have won somewhere else. We decided to do it here and try to make the most of the race », explained the current championship leader.
The weather is expected to play a major role during qualifying and the race. There is a high probability of heavy rain on Saturday. Conditions that Red Bull and Verstappen could take advantage of.
