Breaking news
Formula 1
Verstappen says underpowered engine behind overtaking prowess
Max Verstappen has credited his emergence as one of Formula 1's overtaking specialists in part to having a down-on power engine this year.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Dec 25, 2015, 3:38 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Dutchman earned high praise in 2015 for some spectacular moves past his rivals – including around the outside of Felipe Nasr at Spa's Blanchimont and on Sergio Perez at Interlagos.
Reflecting on the season, the Toro Rosso driver reckons that part of the reason for him needing to pull off such sensational efforts was because he did not the engine power from Renault to get past his rivals on the straights.
“Definitely it made my overtakes more interesting,” Verstappen told Motorsport.com. “If we had a very good engine, then we would have just got past on the straight.
“We would have had similar results [in the end], but it doesn't make it that interesting!
“So on the one hand it meant I had to pull off such good moves, because I didn't have the engine to pass the guys on the straights like the other guys.
"But on the other hand, you want a good engine to operate a bit higher up, that is for sure.”
Spa was best
Although Verstappen made several notable passes over the season, he thinks that the move around Nasr was his highlight.
“I think the best one was definitely Spa,” he said. “You go over 300km/h, and it was very difficult to know what you have to do there – and to find the space.
“I think also China was good, I also enjoyed Malaysia and also Brazil – that was one I really enjoyed.”
More power welcome
Although Verstappen seemingly revelled in the way that his power deficit forced him to be spectacular this year, he is delighted about Toro Rosso's move to Ferrari in 2016.
“I think if we have an engine next year with a bit more horsepower we can make a jump forwards for sure,” he said.
“Also in terms of the car it looks very promising - although you don't know what the other teams come up with. But definitely if we have more power it will be better for us.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Ericsson admits slow start to 2015 hurt him
Next article Renault: Red Bull not a factor in Illien's signing
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Max Verstappen
Nicki Thiim's cheeky F1 jab: "Max Verstappen just wants to drive a proper race car!"
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 18 h
Nicki Thiim's cheeky F1 jab: "Max Verstappen just wants to drive a proper race car!"
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
22 h
Did Max Verstappen already know the impact of Red Bull’s big upgrade when he signed his new deal?
More from
Racing Bulls
Who slept worst last night: Nikola Tsolov
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Who slept worst last night: Nikola Tsolov
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Latest news
Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
4 h
Jesse Love barely holds off Sam Mayer for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Phoenix
Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
7 h
Lando Norris faces anxious wait as F2 prepares to decide future of his racing team
NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
8 h
NASCAR Cup Phoenix starting lineup: Blaney earns pole as Larson struggles
Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
9 h
Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe