SPOTLIGHT ON MACAU: VERSTAPPEN TO MAKE FINAL FORMULA 3 APPEARANCE 'POWERED BY VOLKSWAGEN'

November 11, 2014 by Volkswagen Motorsport

◾Max Verstappen fits Macau start around Formula One commitments

◾Nine drivers line up at motorsport classic with Volkswagen Power

◾Volkswagen most successful engine manufacturer with eight wins

Max Verstappen (NL) will climb into the cockpit of a Formula 3 car 'powered by Volkswagen' for the final time at the Macau Grand Prix (13–16 November). The Dutchman ended his rookie season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in third place in the Drivers' Championship and has spectacularly been promoted to the premier league of motorsport courtesy of his outstanding performances over the course of the year. In 2015, the 'Flying Dutchman' will race for the Toro Rosso Formula One team. In doing so, he is set to become the youngest driver ever to hold down a regular seat in the pinnacle of motor racing. Although 17-year-old Verstappen has already been in action during Friday's free practice sessions on the final few Formula One weekends of the season, he was determined not to miss out on the opportunity to take part in the iconic highlight of the Formula 3 season in Macau. It goes without saying that the son of ex-Formula One driver Jos Verstappen would ideally love to become the ninth Volkswagen driver to join the list of winners of this prestigious event.

Interview with Max Verstappen

Max, after the final round of the season, you now head off to the Macau Grand Prix for what is regarded as the unofficial Formula 3 world final. What do you expect from this race?

Max Verstappen: 'I would obviously love to win this race – and will be going all out to do just that. However, the circuit is completely new to me. I know there is a relatively large risk of flying off the track and destroying your car. As such, it will be important to take full advantage of the practice time available. As I have had a lot to do in recent weeks, I have not had chance to do many laps of Macau in the simulator. I've probably done about 30 – but at least I know what to expect.'

How important is this race in your opinion?

Max Verstappen: 'Macau is a motorsport classic. It is different from the races in the European Championship, as Macau is just one single event, so it is all or nothing. All that matters is winning – while in the European Championship, you are rewarded for your performance over the course of the season's 33 races. When you see who has won there, then you cannot fail to recognise the importance of this race. You could compare it to the Zandvoort Masters, which I won this year. Macau will be a nice challenge for me.'

Do street circuits suit you?

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Max Verstappen: 'Yes, they do actually. In Pau, for example, I was unlucky not to get a good result, but my pace was good. I regard the race weekends at the Norisring and in Spa, on which I won all three races, as among my best this season.'

When you look back on your season in Formula 3, what is the most important experience you have gained this year?

Max Verstappen: 'There are a number of things. Firstly, the race experience in the car, how to look after the tyres, and how to behave when battling for position, which is very different to the way you drive in karting. Then there is the cars' technology, the data analysis and, primarily, the work with the technicians and engineers. Also, driving with downforce was new to me.'

In your opinion, what role to the engines play in Formula 3?

Max Verstappen: 'As a racing driver, you generally want to have as much power as possible at your disposal. In Formula 3, the engine technicians play a particularly big role. It is all about getting as much performance as possible out of the engine, whilst adhering to the restrictions specified in the regulations. The more powerful the engine, the more downforce the driver can bring into play. In this regard, Volkswagen has always given me very good support. The Volkswagen technicians have also been incredibly helpful with the data analysis. I am sure that our engine will be perfectly prepared for Macau.'

What does your schedule look like either side of Macau?

Max Verstappen 'I was at the Formula One Grand Prix in Brazil, where I took part in free practice. I then flew straight from there to Macau. And there is no time for a breather afterwards: I head straight to the Formula One race in Abu Dhabi, where I will take part in the 'Young Driver Test'. It will be quite hectic, but I am really looking forward to it.'

Strong Volkswagen contingent at the 61st Macau Grand Prix

In total, nine young drivers will line up at the 61st edition of the Formula 3 Grand Prix in Macau at the wheel of cars powered by the 225-hp, two-litre engine from Wolfsburg. Verstappen will be joined on the grid at the iconic street circuit by Tom Blomqvist (GB), runner-up in the Formula 3 European Championship and son of 1984 World Rally Champion, Stig Blomqvist (S). Markus Pommer, champion in the ATS Formula 3 Cup, will also take on the strong opposition in Macau, having already won the title in the 'Bundesliga' of Formula 3 this year. The remaining Volkswagen drivers are Gustavo Menezes (USA), Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Sean Gelael (RI), Jordan King (GB), Yu Kanamaru (J) and Will Buller (GB). The Formula 3 Grand Prix in Macau has produced some big-name winners in the past, including Ayrton Senna (1983) and record Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, who won the 1990 race in a Reynard 903 Volkswagen.