Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen is looking forward to his Austin return this weekend, especially with his run of strong performances in recent races.

The young Dutchman, who is now 20, has had some very varied experiences of the American circuit, including very wet conditions, like several of the past events this season, when a typhoon was passing through close to the circuit.

Just like Japan last time out, we saw paper boats being floated down pitlane, but hopefully, it will be a little drier there this time around and even if it isn't Max is more than happy to race in the wet...

Your memories of the Circuit of the Americas are slightly different to those of most people, as your first couple of visits were pretty wet and wild weren't they?
The first time I drove at COTA was just after making my Formula One debut in Japan in 2014. It rained in the morning so I went out on intermediates. It's a hard track to learn in the dry and the 1 hour 30 minutes in the wet didn't help. It's a really good circuit to drive though and I enjoyed my first experience regardless, especially the first sector. Then, in 2015, I finished fourth in very wet conditions. There was so much water, but I still had a really fun race, as I like driving in the wet. Even when it started to dry it made things a bit more interesting in the latter stages.

Last year was more representative, even though you didn't finish the race, so is it a circuit you enjoy in the dry?
COTA has elements of other circuits from the F1 calendar - for example Silverstone - but it also has its own unique features. It's shorter and faster than other tracks with a similar layout. Turn 1 is a really fun corner. You can brake very late as you head up the hill but then hitting the apex is hard, as you're literally blind. It takes a few laps to get your references on where to turn in.

Last year's outing at the Autรณdromo Hermanos Rodrรญguez was better for you. You qualified third and finished fourth...
In Mexico I will try my best to get on the podium this year. I was very close to it last year, but unfortunately in the end it didn't work out for us. The track is a great venue in a unique setting. No other track we go to has a stadium section like Mexico. It just doesn't compare to any race track I have been to so far. It's an enjoyable track but not very physical, even though it's really quick. The fans are really passionate and loud all weekend so I'm definitely excited to get back there and race this year.