Max Verstappen says he is “refreshed” and ready to hit the ground running in the second half of the season, and is eager to claim a successful result in what is his favourite track on the calendar - the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
The 2019 summer break will come to an end this weekend as teams and drivers head to the Belgian Grand Prix, in what is another of Verstappen’s home races with his mother being Belgian and the fact he was born in the country.
The Red Bull driver may have benefited from the rest, but he is more than ready for an assault on the second half of the campaign.
“Belgium is another home race for me and it’s always great to see so many fans supporting us. It was good to have a break and spend some time away with family and friends before another busy period but I’m refreshed and looking forward to getting started, especially after we had such a great run of results before the break,” he told the official Red Bull website.
The Dutchman has never won a F1 race at Spa, finishing third last year, yet it still remains his favourite location to race in on the current schedule after he gained much success there in F3.
“Spa is my favourite circuit on the calendar, so a great one to start the second half of the season with,” he continued.
“There are a lot of long straights and it’s always a good challenge to find the best possible compromise for the straights and the corners. You don’t particularly run a lot of downforce at Spa but the fast corners are very impressive and a lot of fun.
“Pouhon was close to flat last year so it will be good to see what we can do there in the RB15. I also like that there aren’t too many slow speed corners and you can keep up the momentum all the way round the track.
“I’m definitely ready to get back in the car and looking forward to seeing how competitive the second half of the season can be for us.”
Verstappen is one of only three drivers to win in 2019, claiming victories in Austria and Germany. The leader of the championship, Lewis Hamilton, has won eight races, while Valtteri Bottas has won two.
GP CANADA
7 - 9 Jun
GP SPAIN
21 - 23 Jun
GP AUSTRIA
28 - 30 Jun
GP GREAT BRITAIN
5 - 7 Jul
GP HUNGARY
19 - 21 Jul
GP BELGIUM
26 - 28 Jul
GP NETHERLANDS
23 - 25 Aug
GP ITALY
30 Aug - 1 Sep
GP AZERBAIJAN
13 - 15 Sep
GP SINGAPORE
20 - 22 Sep
GP USA
18 - 20 Oct
GP MEXICO
25 - 27 Oct
GP BRAZIL
1 - 3 Nov
GP QATAR
29 Nov - 1 Dec
GP ABU DHABI
6 - 8 Dec
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