Max Verstappen believes a failed try and make it to the tip of the Australian Grand Prix on slick tires was nonetheless a threat value 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 ultimate 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 have been on the medium (tire), and also you by no means understand how 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 protection automobile got here out,” Verstappen stated. “Then it began to rain. I noticed them go off in entrance of me, stored it clear, and after I noticed Oscar rejoining, I assumed, ‘Effectively, let’s keep out,’ as a result of it was solely these three corners. The remainder was nonetheless dry.
“After I continued, mainly, the primary two sectors have been fantastic – it was simply if I may survive the ultimate sector. I believe that lap I did was OK. If there wasn’t rather more rain coming, I assumed it may work. You additionally should think about 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 fantastic.
“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 may need labored. In a manner, it didn’t work, however we didn’t lose any place, so it’s fantastic.”
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 may 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 when you take a look at the primary stint, we have been fairly a bit off. As quickly because the tires began to overheat, we had no probability. McLaren simply took off.
“So, we nonetheless have a variety of work to do to combat for a win. However I’m comfortable that we’re second right here. It’s mainly one place higher than we should always have been. And it’s 18 extra factors than I had final yr at this race.”
