Verstappen accused of victory thanks to impressive band management over his first stint on the hard-hitting Pirellis, allowing him to take an advantage over Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton after their first stop.
Opting for the alternative strategy by starting on the hard tires, Verstappen knew that his opening tint and tire management would be essential and after seeing the Mercedes duo struggle he started to close the gap, which led to Red Bull warning to fall back on him to his own ties.
Verstappen responded on his team radio, “this is the only chance to be close to the Mercedes, I’m not just sitting back like a grandmother” and pretty much kept up the pressure for the first pit stops.
After the race, the Dutch driver declared that he was happy with his tire management and could suffer the Mercedes drivers, so he wanted to maximize his chances.
“I was already managing [my tyres] but their straps were completely gone, I could open the straps, “Verstappen said. But it was also expected with these tires especially on high fuel when the car is very heavy.
“But I did not want to just sit back, as I have been doing lately, so once I had the opportunity to put up a little pressure. I want to do that, that I tried.
“I once had a great moment when I was close to Lewis in Turn 13, because it’s really hard to follow, even when I had the grip advantage.
“Then it got to the point where it was impossible for them to continue, so they boxed and that’s where my race started.”
Verstappen also acknowledged that he was aware of the removal of his own ties when he followed Bottas and Hamilton, but felt that it was not a problem that his race strategy was compromised, and that is why he went against the advice of Red Bull.
“I hate sitting back when you see the car is pretty decent,” he said. “Sometimes it can be a little suicidal, killing your ties and trying to cling desperately, but I don’t think that was the case today.”
Verstappen has risen to second place in the Formula 1 world championship for drivers, ahead of Bottas, and is 30 points behind Hamilton at the top of the standings.
