The Formula 1 season will continue this weekend in Austin, Texas, with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas – but before Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen climbed into their cars for the weekend, they visited Del Valle High School for a bit of football practice.
Top tip Bulls ? 'Don't get mauled by one of these giants...' ?? #USGP #DVproud pic.twitter.com/f2qIakNTGh
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 19, 2017
or Verstappen, a 20-year-old who grew up in Belgium, it was his first experience with an “egg-shaped ball.”
Verstappen: “What do you do? I have never done this before? Just run with the ball?”
Ricciardo: “Run as fast as you can. Don’t get mauled by one of these 16-year-old giants.”
The two drivers made attempts at a 35-yard field goal, and it didn’t go so well.
Target practice @DelValleISD ?? #USGP pic.twitter.com/nUyNkTSuD4
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 20, 2017
Earlier, Daniel Ricciardo in an interview said that Red Bull has a chance to win more races on merit in 2017 if it gets everything right – and that this weekend's US Grand Prix could present a golden opportunity.
"It seems like that for sure," he said when asked by Motorsport.com if Red Bull can now target wins every weekend.
.@F1 drivers @danielricciardo & @Max33Verstappen get ready to hit the field in @redbullracing gear! ??? pic.twitter.com/X45qr1N4ok
— Del Valle ISD (@DelValleISD) October 19, 2017
"Race pace in the last few races has been good. I think this track typically has been a pretty good one for us as well. I feel like obviously we need to be at our best to win, it's not going to come easy. But if we execute, then we have a chance to win.
"This one gets me excited, this one does, and also you can overtake. Suzuka, all well and good being quick, but it's super hard to overtake. Here, maybe the first sector it's a bit tricky to follow.
"But I think you can still stay within DRS, and then you've got the back straight, Turn One… There are easily three and probably four overtaking opportunities that are there for the taking if you're close enough.
"So that gives me excitement. And Mexico as well, you can overtake. These two coming up will be strong, I think."