PART TWO – Franco COLAPINTO (Williams), Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), Nico HÜLKENBERG
Q: Nico, let’s start with you. It’s time for a bit of reflection. You’re leaving Haas after this race. Just how will you look back on the last two years, first of all?
Nico HÜLKENBERG: Positive, with a lot of good emotions, with a lot of joy and fun that I had over the past two years. I think we’ve, you know, we’ve grown together and pretty strong in that time and it’s been a very fun ride and journey with them. I think we, at least personally for myself, you know, really outperformed the expectations, certainly that I had personally coming into, you know, the overtime part of my career after two years out. So I reflect on it in a very positive way. and especially this year you know I think it’s been very successful and I feel regardless of where we’re going to end up Sunday night you know we we’ve had a very successful year and we kind of won already. But that doesn’t mean of course that we’re that we’re not going to try this weekend.
Q: What’s been the highlight for you of these two years?
NH: Well, I think naturally you always go back to the most successful races. But I think for me, that’s too simple. It’s just been, you know, the ride and the journey together. Like I said, I had a lot of fun and joy. And, you know, I’ve not always felt that much joy racing and working in Formula 1. So for me, that’s just the best thing and obviously the overtime of the overtime that is still to come from you know next year onwards I think that’s probably also the extended highlight.
Q: You say you’ve won already this year as a team but can I get you to elaborate on the battle for P6 just in terms of car performance you versus Alpine? How do you see it this weekend?
NH: I see it very tight. The whole midfield is very tight, like we saw over the last few weekends. Small things can make a big difference. I think it is going to be very difficult this weekend to turn it around after what happened last Sunday and them (Alpine) scoring a lot of points again. But our package is competitive. We’re quick on merit. Personally, all I want to achieve is to maximise and optimise this final weekend together and enjoy it.
Q: Make sure you do that. Enjoy it. Nico, thank you very much. Max, let’s come to you now. A really great victory for you and the team on Sunday in Qatar. Just how much confidence does that performance give you coming into the season finale here in Abu Dhabi?
Max VERSTAPPEN: I mean, it’s a bit of a different track here, but it also shows that even when things are not going well, there’s still an opportunity that you can turn things around or make it more competitive, because in Qatar, starting the weekend, we were not very quick. And then, yeah, when we went into qualifying, the proper qualifying, we were there to fight, so it shows that there was some more performance in the car and I was very happy with that. This track? It’s been good to us in the past, but of course this year a lot has changed anyway. So I’m just relaxed and looking forward to it. Hopefully we learn a bit more about the car that we can also use them for next year.
Q: Is it important to go into the winter on the back of a victory?
MV: Well, I mean, it would be nice, but it’s not something that will change the world for us in the winter. We know what we have to work on. So, yeah, we just try to be as competitive as we can be.
Q: Can we just reflect on 2024 for a moment? A hugely successful campaign for you, but how does this world title compare to the other three?
MV: I mean, we had this chat already in Vegas.
Q: You’ve had a bit of time to reflect.
MV: I mean, I still have the same opinion! We did a special press conference for it. I sat there. I was waiting. I wanted to go out. I wanted to have a beer. I wanted to have a drink. Now I’m answering the same question again.
Q: I don’t think you’d waited, actually…
MV: I wanted more. I ran out. I had to sit there. I could not…
Q: OK. But look, just for people who weren’t in Vegas in that press conference.
MV: They can watch it back!
Q: OK. Well, let’s talk about the Dutch Grand Prix. Final one from me. Yeah. Look, news has come that, yes, they’ve expanded the deal by a year, but 2026 is going to be the last one for now. Can we just get your reaction to that news?
MV: Yeah, I mean, of course, when I look at it, it’s, of course, something that I’m sad about that it’s not going to continue. But on the other hand, also, I’m very proud of what they have done. And I think when I started in Formula 1, I would have never imagined that we would go back to Zandvoort. And the races that we’ve had there, the event that they put on, I have a lot of respect for that. And I’m proud that I played a part in that as well. And seeing all the fans there was and is, of course, amazing. And I’m really looking forward to the final two years. But they can be very proud of what they have achieved. And yeah, I think the final year, 26, we have a Sprint event also. They say they’re going to go out with a bang. So I’m also very excited to see that.
Q: Thank you for that. Franco, thanks for waiting. Let’s come to you. The last three races have been frustrating for you. What goals have you set yourself here in Abu Dhabi?
Franco COLAPINTO: I want to finish the year on a high. I think the team deserves that. They have done a lot of work during all the year, especially the last couple of races, but they deserve a good result and to finish the year on a high. I think it is quite important for all of us. So, yeah, the last three runs were quite tough, but I’m sure we can bounce back stronger here and have a good weekend.
Q: You’ve raced at Yas Marina before in Formula 2. How much will that help you this weekend?
FC: Yeah, it does help. Of course, having three sessions to test, three FPs, it’s already good enough, you know, to try to nail every detail. But knowing the track, it will help. It’s going to be the first track that I know after Monza. So it’s for sure going to be better. And yeah, let’s see how it goes. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Q: Last race of the year, ninth race for you in Formula 1. How will you look back on these races these last three months?
FC: It was very exciting. It was my dream come true, you know. And since I started in Monza, I knew a lot of things had to happen and I had to learn a lot and I had to keep moving forward. And I think when you look at the bigger picture that not many times it happens in F1, I think it’s a lot of, you know, you are as good as your last race. And I think that’s how Formula 1 works. Looking at the bigger picture, I think I did a pretty good job. I tried to maximise the opportunity that Williams gave me. It was an incredible chance and I think something I respect a lot. James and Sven, everyone in the team, put the confidence and the trust to give me a seat and to give me that opportunity. Yeah, I think Vegas was quite tough. Being tough on me, I think, it was a pretty big mistake going for it in the last lap in Quali, trying to put the car in Q3. That’s where I look back and I just think that some mistakes could have been avoided, but I think looking at the overall picture and the experience was my dream come true. So, yeah, very excited to see where the future departs.
Q: Well, what does the future hold for you?
FC: How do I know that? It’s impossible. It’s very hard to know. Still one race to go with Williams. Very excited to be here back in Abu Dhabi. It was where I did a couple of laps last year after the race in the Williams for the first time. So excited to be back here where everything started.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Roldan Rodriguez – DAZN, Spain) Franco, you are leaving the mix of the Formula 1. When you arrived to the big circus, you made some amazing races. Some people comparing you with Ayrton, amazing. And then the last races were not as you expected, a couple of crashes. Is the Formula 1 what you expected when you just arrived?
FC: Yeah, I think you can never expect what is going to happen. And even though you see Formula 1 for so many years, when you’re inside, it’s completely different. And I think I look back and I enjoyed every single moment of it, which is the most important part. And it was a great experience, to be honest. Always, you know, you have these up and downs. It was not going to be easy. The first five rounds were really, really good. And then I think it was another challenge for Brazil with the wet, with the inters for the first time, first time in an F1 in the rain. And it was a tough experience, but, you know, I had to go through those moments, I think, as a rookie. Vegas trying to put the car in Q3, you know, I went to a limit and I went a bit over it. And, yeah, last weekend, I think it was quite tough as well for the team. We did struggle, I think, starting with the car on an old spec. It was very difficult for us on my side of the garage. We were moving forward on the weekend, and it was getting better. But I think we struggled with starting on an old spec. But it’s normal, you know. It’s part of the sport. And now we come here, I think, with good expectations and looking forward to do a good weekend.
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) A question for Max, but I’d be interested in Nico’s thoughts on this as well. Let’s go back to Qatar. Fabulous win after picking up that penalty on the Saturday night for an incident that happened on a cool-down lap for both you and for George Russell. You had a great meeting with the stewards going forward on the Thursday night about driving standards. Are you worried that the penalty that was given sets a precedent now for going forward that drivers could use to get other drivers into trouble when you’re both on a cool down lap? because it was kind of a historical penalty and I can’t remember an incident like that on a cool down lap getting a penalty before.
MV: Yeah, I’m going to go flat out on my cool app. And I’m going to act like I’m going to crash with everyone. I know. Honestly, I just didn’t understand. I didn’t even know why I was in there. And then, honestly, when I was in there, I was just trying to explain the story behind it. I was just trying to be nice. Lando passed me because he was a second behind me on the SC2. He was on colder tyres because he only did a build. Or he had to abort his lap or whatever. So he passed me. I was like, ‘OK, whatever, I just back out. I don’t want to be in anyone’s way’. We’re anyway in Q3, just finding track position. Then I think Fernando came out of the pits with new tyres. And I think it was quite clear that weekend with the new tyres, you have to push quite hard on the out lap to get temp. So out of Turn 10, I see him in the mirror, flying. I’m like, ‘OK, I’ll let him by, whatever, and then I’ll just sort myself out’. Then, of course, everything slowed up in front, because there were quite a few cars. And I slowed down as well, because I don’t want to then speed up, try to ruin their preparation as well. And then I see someone flying in my mirror, acting like the most dangerous situation just happened and he almost killed himself or something. It was unbelievable. And we were all on the slow lap. It’s not even like someone was on a fast lap. So yeah, when I got called to the Stewards, it was a big surprise to me, because I didn’t really impede anyone. I think also on the slow lap, we all drive on our normal lines, because we’re all trying not to pick up dirt anyway. It’s not necessary when everyone is driving slow. But then, yeah, I don’t know how they came, of course, to that conclusion. It was, of course, for me, very disappointing, because, by actually trying to stay out of trouble, you put yourself in trouble. And also, I think, at that point of the season, almost the end of the season, I don’t want to be fighting with anyone. They come after me after qualifying, like, ‘why didn’t you ruin my lap, to start my lap? What are you doing?’ So I’m like, oh, I don’t want to put myself in that position. But basically, by doing that, I put myself in that position where I had to be going to the Stewards. And I felt straight away when I was in there, it was not going to go anywhere. So it was very weird.
Q: Nico, any comment from you, what you saw?
NH: Yeah, no, I don’t understand it either. Like Max explained, in Qatar, there was a lot of different, you know, run profiles, people doing all sorts of different stuff. And, you know, it’s very easy to get tangled up. But we drivers know that, too and I think we also have to build that in and, you know, leave some buffer. And, yeah, I don’t understand why Max got a penalty there.
Q: (Albert Fabrega – ESPN) A question for Franco. A lot of rumours and conversations regarding your future. Are you trying to stay away of everything or are you asking very often or you just focus on the car and not worry about that?
FC: I am trying to stay away. I try to enjoy the moment. At the moment it’s my last race, so I’m trying to give the best I can for the team. They have done a great job and they deserve that and I still have one weekend with Williams. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment. And then we will see later after the race what happens next year.
Q: (Diego Mejia – Fox Sports Mexico) Question to Max. At the beginning of the year, Max, Checo was able to be close to you somehow. Since the European season, he has struggled more. From your view, why has he struggled more? What has been his contribution to your success this year? And is all the criticism against him unfair?
MV: Yeah, it’s very difficult to pinpoint that. I mean, our car from the start, of course, has not been the easiest to drive. We were still, of course, dominant in the beginning, but then I think, yeah, with some upgrades on the car, it made it even more difficult to drive. Of course, also for me, but I think even more for Checo for his driving style. And yeah, when others are closing up, every little detail makes a massive difference in results or where you qualify. Because if you then don’t qualify well, you’re in the middle of the pack, things can go wrong. And yeah, from my side, it’s very difficult to comment for him, why things have gone the way they have gone. But I can tell you that, of course, in the middle of the season, especially, our car has been a bit all over the shop, sometimes quite positive. And again, very difficult. And even for us, it was just very hard to find the direction. And for sure, that also didn’t help Checo in general. I mean, I have to say he’s always been a great team player, and I’ve always enjoyed working with him every single Grand Prix, even when we had tough times. I think he was always there to try and get the best possible result out of it. So for me, there’s nothing negative at all to say about him. We get on super well. And of course, when I see sometimes he’s struggling with the results, it’s not nice to see, also for the team. But I think also the team has always given their very best and always tried to support him in the best possible way, you know, to get the best out of it. But unfortunately, that didn’t always happen.
Q: (Nelson Valkenburg – Viaplay) For all three, if possible, given this is the last race of the season, what’s the single thing you’re the most proud of? And what’s the thing you go into the winter in thinking, that’s the thing I’m going to improve for next year?
NH: I would like to do less mistakes next year, but it’s a tight midfield, and it’s always a very small, fine, narrow window because we’re so tight. Sometimes you have to leave the comfort zone. You have to take risks, and mistakes do happen very easily. And with these cars, if you lose it, you lose it in a big way often. That’s maybe one thing. And I’m just very happy and proud of the season, what we’ve done this year, how we’ve picked ourselves up from last year and where we started this year and how we’ve come through. A couple of really strong performances from everyone in the team. And that’s been a happy, proud moment.
MV: Of course, I’m proud of winning the championship. But besides that, I think how we have worked as a team and how I’ve also kept myself together throughout a tough period in the season where it was easy to be demotivated and give up on a lot of things. Actually working harder with the team, you know, trying to find solutions and getting on top of it or at least understanding our trouble and again bounce back and still achieve some great results at the end of the year. Plus, I think the race in Brazil. The emotions went from being super upset in the morning, looking like you were going to lose a lot of points in the championship and it actually becoming a proper fight, to then, of course, winning the race from P17. For me, that is definitely a race that I’m very proud of in how we’ve handled everything. I think all those things together.
FC: I think becoming an F1 driver for these nine races was definitely the proudest. Still a lot of things to improve and a lot of things to learn. Of course, nine races is not enough to arrive to my peak, and I keep understanding things every time. And every time I jump in the car, I’m learning stuff with engineers, with the mechanics. Luckily, everyone in the team has been very supportive to help me and understand quick most of the things, but still a long way to go.
Q: (Diletta Colombo – Automoto) A question for Max. Before, you were talking about the behaviour of your car in the middle of the season, that it was a bit erratic. How difficult was it to keep frustration at bay and extract the maximum out of your car?
MV: Yeah, I mean, I think it helped that a lot came out in Hungary. And after that, yeah, we had some good chats within the team. And it never works, you know, when you’re frustrated all the time because you’re not going to move forward. So I think from there onwards, you know, we really worked well together and actually tried to really actively look for improvements and solutions. And it was hard to understand at times, but I think at one point we found a direction that we had to look into, and that’s what we continue to do.
Q: (Adam Cooper – Adam Cooper F1) I think you made a fairly strong comment to George coming out of the Stewards’ hearing on Saturday night. And obviously you were then very critical of him to us. Do you have any regrets about anything you said to him directly or anything you said about him to us? Are you going to make any effort to talk to him this weekend or are you just going to let this go into the winter?
MV: No. No regrets at all, because I meant everything I said. And it’s still the same. If I had to do it again, maybe I would have said even more, knowing the outcome of the race result. I still can’t believe that someone can be like that in a Stewards’ room. For me, that was so unacceptable, because I mean, we’re all racing drivers. We all have a lot of respect for each other. We even play sports together. You travel together. And of course, you have moments where you get together, you crash or whatever. You’re not happy. In my whole career, I’ve never experienced what I have experienced in the Stewards’ room in Qatar. And for me, that was really unacceptable.
Q: (Shanna Lutgert – F1 Maximaal) I have a question for Max. You were coming on the radio during the Qatar race to ask for the yellow flag situation with Lando and you were asking for a couple of updates as well. Were you pushing for the stewards to look at that because you were hesitant about if they would do something about it?
MV: It was just a normal question. I mean, I knew that I lifted, and I suddenly look in the mirror, and I saw that the gap closed up a lot. So I just asked, did he lift or not, just to double check. Of course, sometimes with yellow flags, some people lift more than others. And yeah, you can gain some tens here or there. I luckily tried to play it safe, and then just asked and see the outcome of it.
Q: (Velimir Veljko – Avto Fokus) I have a question for Max. You have an excellent start to the season. Then after this series of victories, you had a bunch of problems with cars, with team, with driving in the midfield. How do you overcome all that? Where did you find the power, techniques, style to overcome this and to be back on top on the end of season like it was a couple of races before?
MV: Yeah, I mean, we had a tough time. And the problem was that we didn’t really understand, I think, fully what was the reason behind it, because all the numbers that we saw were actually promising. So it’s just trying to find it, trying to understand what is going wrong, trying to improve that balance in the car. And that’s what we have done. And it took, of course, a few races to get on top of. And then, of course, you have to make changes. And in a season with a budget gap, it’s very tough sometimes also to calculate what you can do and what you cannot do. Some things you cannot change in the season. This is for next year. But I’m proud of how we have found solutions and how we have become, again, more competitive.
Q: (Ronald Vording – Motorsport.com) It’s another one to Max. You said in Singapore that the worst of the season was behind you back then, which turned out to be right. How much confidence does the Qatar win give you for the direction Red Bull is heading in for ‘25? Because Technical Director Pierre Wache told us, ‘I’m not very confident about the ‘25 car yet, because if you’re confident in F1, you are dead’ – that was his quote. Is that the mindset you have as well, that you’re not really confident yet about the new year’s car?
MV: For me, it’s more about just always trying to find more performance. You always want to do better. And of course, there are always limitations with the car that you work on. And I think this year we found a few more limitations than last year. So at least it gives us more directions to work on for next year. And time will tell where we are.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Another question to Max, please. Max, I just wondered if you could discuss the work that you put in at the factory this year. The team quite open in saying that you were there more than in previous years. I just wondered, what were you doing? How important did you find it? And also, how proud of you? How proud you are of that work?
MV: Yeah, I think in ‘23, everything almost went by itself. Of course, I did my work. I went to drive on the simulator. But when the car is in a very nice window, sometimes when you try to overstress things, it also doesn’t work when you try to look into too many details. That’s anyway how I never operated, trying to look into too many details, because it can also work against you. This year was a lot more difficult. Everyone was struggling to understand, of course, for me as well, I didn’t understand why we were where we were. So just asking questions, working together, looking at data, looking at analysis that came up after every single race we can. And of course, I’m not the engineer, I’m not going to tell them how to design a floor or whatever, a suspension. But I can ask questions, and then we discuss, and we go through what we can see from the data of the track, wind tunnels, CFD, all these things, simulator. And with all the smart heads in the team, you sit together and you just have an open discussion about things. And I explain my difficulties with the car. Of course, we do it here as well. We’re talking and we’re talking back to the factory. But it’s not eye to eye with everyone. And that’s why I think sometimes it’s very important to have everyone together in the same room.
Q: (Ben Hunt – Autosport) Sorry, another one for Max. I’ve got to ask, but what is it that George did in that meeting that angered you so much? And is it slightly conflicting the fact that he’s director of the GPDA as well?
MV: No, it has nothing to do with him being the director of the GPDA. I just never expected someone to really try and actively get someone a penalty that badly and lying about why I was doing what I was doing. But clearly, it had an influence to them. Yeah, it was just really not nice and actually very shocking what was going on there.
Q: (Rodrigo França – Car Magazine Brazil) Question to Max, but Franco and Nico can comment as well. Regarding to 2025, the rules won’t change a little much more. But for 2026, there will be a little revolution on F1 rules. As a driver, the driver’s point of view, do you like what F1 is doing for the new car?
MV: I’m in the middle. I mean, time will tell. I don’t know if it’s going to be nice. I don’t know if it’s going to be bad. I just, it’s impossible to say now that, you know, the outcome of it. I just wait and see until we have the real car. And then, you know, you can judge a bit better if it’s positive or not.
NH: Yeah, it’s impossible to tell now. You know, you have to drive the car to understand it, to feel it, to really know what’s going on. So just from paper, it’s impossible to tell for us right now.
FC: Yeah, same. There is, I think, so many things and factors still to be developed and the teams have to understand many things. So, yeah, a long time to know yet.