Gounon says Verstappen’s feedback changed the team’s view of its GT car

Jules Gounon says Max Verstappen’s technical input changed how his Mercedes-AMG GT colleagues viewed their car and helped the group make progress this year.

Gounon made the comments in a Viaplay interview in Mexico, where he and Dani Juncadella were guests of Verstappen and Red Bull. Conversations with Verstappen at the start of the year brought new ideas that changed their perspective on the car, he said. Gounon described the feedback as exceptional and said Verstappen had repeatedly been right.

Verstappen watches their live onboard footage, Gounon said, and sometimes joins a phone debrief even while he is at a Grand Prix. He also spots missed apexes. Gounon said knowing Verstappen is watching makes the drivers want to perform especially well.

Verstappen made his official debut in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring earlier this year, sharing a Mercedes with Gounon, Juncadella and Lucas Auer.

Gounon was less certain how much he and Juncadella could teach the four-time champion. He said it felt difficult to advise Verstappen, whom he considers the best driver of their generation, but was impressed by how quickly he learned the car and the driving. At the Nürburgring, Gounon said, he and Juncadella felt as if they had a superstar with 15 years of GT experience alongside them.