Max Verstappen believes a failed try to make it to the top of the Australian Grand Prix on slick tires was nonetheless a threat price taking as he was set to complete second regardless.
A late burst of rain led to the 2 main McLaren drivers slide off the monitor within the remaining sector, with Oscar Piastri caught on the grass for practically a complete lap. Lando Norris was capable of rejoin shortly and enter the pits, however Verstappen stayed out on slicks to steer for 2 laps earlier than additionally stopping and dropping again behind the McLaren.
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“We had been on the medium (tire), and also you by no means know the way that’s going to work out, however I assumed it was fairly a wise name with 15, 16, or 20 laps to go when the security automobile got here out,” Verstappen stated. “Then it began to rain. I noticed them go off in entrance of me, saved it clear, and once I noticed Oscar rejoining, I assumed, ‘Nicely, let’s keep out,’ as a result of it was solely these three corners. The remainder was nonetheless dry.
“Once I continued, principally, the primary two sectors had been high-quality – it was simply if I might survive the ultimate sector. I believe that lap I did was OK. If there wasn’t rather more rain coming, I assumed it might work. You additionally should consider that even when they caught me on an inter, they’d should field once more for slicks, if it’s not going to rain anymore. So, it was high-quality.
“I assumed, ‘Yeah, we’ll do one other lap,’ however then, sadly, on that lap, the primary sector was nonetheless OK-ish, however then in Sector 2, it began to rain a bit an excessive amount of and we needed to field.
“However in hindsight, it wouldn’t have mattered. If I’d boxed with Lando, it will have been P2. If I’d boxed the subsequent lap, it will have been P2. And the lap that I did field, I used to be additionally P2. So, we tried one thing else – it might need labored. In a method, it didn’t work, however we didn’t lose any place, so it’s high-quality.”
After pitting for intermediates, Verstappen pushed Norris all the way in which to the flag after one other late security automobile, however he says he by no means felt he might make a transfer and continues to be cautious of the efficiency benefit McLaren confirmed earlier within the race.
“I believe it’s good in comparison with the groups behind us. However for those who have a look at the primary stint, we had been fairly a bit off. As quickly because the tires began to overheat, we had no likelihood. McLaren simply took off.
“So, we nonetheless have plenty of work to do to struggle for a win. However I’m pleased that we’re second right here. It’s principally one place higher than we should always have been. And it’s 18 extra factors than I had final yr at this race.”
