Verstappen hopes for many fans: "The orange army has always supported me"

Also win in Baku

On the Austrian ServusTV Verstappen talks about what it's like as leader of the championship. "Of course it's great," jubilates the Dutchman who is immediately realistic again. "It's still a long season. The first races in 2021 went well, but there are still many other races we want to win as well. The race in Monaco was fantastic, and to be first in the championship is fantastic, but next weekend in Baku we also need to win."

Love-hate relationship

With his win in Monaco, Verstappen also said goodbye to his love-hate relationship with the track. He had never managed to reach the podium here before. "In previous years, Monaco didn't go so well, with my own mistakes and little luck. Now we have won Monaco and are leading both the drivers' and constructors' championship, which is very important."

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku has also not been favourable to Verstappen so far. A fourth-place finish in 2019 is his best result so far. "So far in Baku we haven't had much luck, but it was the same in Monaco. So maybe this year it will be a good race. We'll see how we perform."

Self-confidence

Verstappen is asked what has been important to his career, to get where he is today. "I think self-confidence, " said the Red Bull Racing driver. "Not just in Formula 1, but I've had that throughout my career. I know what to do every weekend. Some times it goes better than others, but overall it hasn't been bad."

Slowly but surely, more and more fans are also being admitted to the races, something Verstappen is very happy about. Especially towards Austria, where there are always a lot of Dutch people present. "The orange army has always supported me, also during the two races I won there. The last one in 2019 was super, with the overtake for the win on the penultimate lap. There were some fans in Monaco, but there will be many more in Austria, which will make for a great atmosphere."