Max Verstappen says he was “lucky and unlucky” by taking the moment’s position after Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton suffered tyre problems at the British GP after failing to win in the pits.
After running in 3rd place race, Verstappen arrived here on lap 50 when Bottas slowed down due to a tire failure. Without any risk from behind and Hamilton too far ahead, he searched without delay for new tires to be able to make the most productive lap on the 52nd and final lap.
However, on the last lap, Hamilton suffered a fault in Bottas and also slowed down to slowly advance towards the checkered flag with 3 functional tires.
Mercedes’ driving force was controlled to carry his car safely to the end to win 5.8 seconds from Verstappen, meaning it is clear that if Red Bull’s driving force had not faced the new tyres late, he would have won the race, but resumed it. the fastest point back to provide some comfort.
Verstappen first made his frustration transparent on the radio, but he calmed down temporarily and stated that it had been a smart result, and told his team, “We made smart, not bad, smart points, a smart podium.”
He then added: “We did well. Alone, shit! We deserve to be satisfied with the second, and when we have that Array.. Anyway, it’s okay.”
In post-race interviews, Verstappen repeated that he was satisfied with the place of the moment.
“I mean, it’s luck and bad luck, you know, ” he said. “They [Mercedes], of course, were in the race too fast. And yes, the tires at one point, they didn’t look very good, like 10 laps ago, so I was already on the radio [to say], ‘guys, you know, the right front doesn’t look very nice.
“Then, of course, Valtteri had a puncture. I got here on the radio like I was looking to turn it back. Then they put me in the way to make the turn.”
And then, of course, unfortunately, Lewis has been punctured. But you know, I’m very satisfied with the moment one. it’s still a very smart outcome for us. “
“[Before the race], he was quite lonely. I’m just looking to control my rhythm, look for tire care.”