Verstappen reveals favourite venue F1 should add to calendar

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Three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has expressed his desire to see the historic Mugello circuit return to Grand Prix racing’s calendar.

The Italian venue, located in the Tuscan countryside of Italy, is a fan favorite among motorsport enthusiasts. It's a track that rewards bravery and precision, with its high-speed straights, tight corners, and undulating topography.

The circuit has been a staple of MotoGP racing for decades, but in 2020 the track hosted the Tuscan Grand Prix, a last-minute addition to Formula 1’s reduced Covid-stricken agenda.

The event was won by Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen retiring on the opening lap of the race due to a startline collision.

But the Red Bull charger - who has been a vocal advocate for more traditional, permanent circuits - retains good memories of the old-school pastoral venue that provides drivers with a thrilling and demanding challenge, while also offering fans an unforgettable spectacle.

Read also: Verstappen also reigns supreme in F1 top-10 salary ranking

“For me, Mugello,” Verstappen said on the Talking Bull podcast when asked to name a race he would add to F1’s calendar.

“[Because of the] track layout. There are so many fast corners and in an F1 car, it’s so nice.”

In 2024, Verstappen will attempt to secure his fourth consecutive F1 world championship. And given Red Bull’s technical advantage over its rivals, the probabilitys of the 25-year-old fulfilling his ambition once again is high.

However, the 54-time Grand Prix winner also knows that every new season has the potential to brings its fair share of unpredictable challenges.

“Every year is a little bit different,” he said. “That also depends, of course, how good the car is going to be. But I think you also just rely a lot on your experience.

“I mean, you've experienced already a lot in your career and in F1 and you know that if you want to fight for a championship, the most important thing is the car.

“But besides that, your performances need to be very consistent and that's something that you have to try and achieve again.

“Every single year it's a new challenge, to try and do that.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.