Verstappen explains Red Bull approach to poignant weekend

Max Verstappen has stated Red Bull's determination to win at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix on what marks a poignant weekend for the team.

The event will be the squad's first F1 visit to their home track, the Red Bull Ring, since the death of the brand's founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022.

When asked if emotions could be running high during the weekend, Verstappen explained how the outfit would be approaching it.

"I think we’ve had already a few Grands Prix without Dietrich, of course, by our side and you just have to face it," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"You have to deal with it and we race also to make him proud and just carry on that legacy.

"So coming here, home Grand Prix, we always enjoy coming here anyway and we want to win, definitely."

Sprint weekend could be 'hectic'

While Verstappen took his sixth win of the season so far last time out in Canada – giving him a 69-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the World Championship standings – the gap back to second-placed Fernando Alonso was less than in previous races.

On whether the squad can extend their advantage again in Austria, Verstappen was relucant to make predictions, particularly given the addition of the Sprint.

"I don't know, honestly. In a Sprint weekend so many things can go well or can go wrong," the Dutchman said.

"It's always very hectic so I guess we'll just find out honestly. I don't know.

"We can speculate about it now but we'll find out on Sunday."