Max Verstappen team-mate understands 'pure' desire during F1 frustrations

Max Verstappen's Nurburgring team-mate Dani Juncadella has stated he “understands” why the Dutchman has been frustrated with this year's F1 machinery.

Verstappen has voiced his distaste for the new cars across the opening rounds, taking issue with the style in which they need to be driven to extract speed.

The 28-year-old will get his hands on new machinery this weekend as he takes part in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, racing alongside Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer.

Speaking to Motorsport-Total, Juncadella acknowledged that Verstappen's annoyance with F1 is due to the cars going against his racing instincts.

"I can understand him,” he said. “He likes to be in control; it's part of his personality. 

“He wants to understand why things happen and how he can influence them.

"It feels like he doesn't have the tools to influence his performance. And I think that's exactly what frustrates him. 

“But that also applies to the other drivers. More and more of them are coming to the same conclusion and aren't enjoying the current rules."

Verstappen's outing at the Nurburgring this weekend will be his third outing at the famous German track this year.

Juncadella theorised that Verstappen's desire to race at the event stems from it being a “pure” form of racing.

"I think that's why [Verstappen] enjoys GT3 racing so much, because it's pure,” he said. 

“I'm not saying Formula 1 isn't. But here you press the accelerator and the car shoots off. 

“No unpleasant surprises. You accelerate the car. 

“It's like karting again, like in the old days. Just pure racing, wheel to wheel, a bit of contact here and there. He loves it."