As acting Head of Sporting at Red Bull, Steve Knowles is a familiar figure to the race stewards, often acting as a liaison between the team’s drivers and the authorities.

In the first of our summer break specials Matt Majendie speaks to Steve about the various facets of Steve’s role… which is everything from discussing rules, safety changes and race layout with the FIA; being the primary contact with race control during all the weekend sessions; and having to fight Max Verstappen’s corner, whether he’s attempting a risky overtake or throwing a towel out of his car.

Steve sheds light on the conversations he will have with the authorities over issues such as weather delays at Spa, and also gives it a bit more context to the summer break – and why exhausted teams are more than happy to switch their work phones and laptops off for a fortnight.

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For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session.

Over the midsummer break we are bringing you special interviews and insight to give you the F1 fix.

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