Red Bull Content Pool

General

Verstappen: "Mechanics deserve a beer tonight"

26 October 2020 at 06:51
1
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lewis Hamilton didn't understand why Max Verstappen started on the soft tyres for the Portuguese Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver gave an explanation at the press conference and further states that the ingenuity of the Austrian racing team deserves a beer after the excellent performance in the pit lane.

"Once I put on the Mediums it was fine. I don't think the pace was that bad," said Verstappen afterwards. The Dutchman indicates that it took a few laps before he found the rhythm. "But also the wind, lap to lap, it was changing quite a lot. One time you would go into a corner and it was fine. Next lap you would have oversteer."

Good second stint for Verstappen

According to the Red Bull driver it was not 'easy', but once the tyres were up to temperature it went better. "Once the tyres were up to temperature the pace was good and I just pulled away from the cars behind and I could do my own race – but of course they [Mercedes] were a bit too far away from that point onwards. But anyway, quite eventful in the beginning and of course I’m still happy to be here," he explains.

Lewis Hamilton said he was surprised by Red Bull's choice not to choose the mediums in Q2. Because Verstappen started on softs, he was no match for the W11 on the Portimao circuit. "I [only had] one set for quali and I said I wasn’t going to risk it. I didn't think the Soft was going to be that much of a struggle." Christian Horner also admitted on Sunday evening that his Austrian team had gambled wrong.

Compliments to pit crew

All three Red Bull pit stops were completed in less than 1.9 seconds and possibly even broke the world record. Verstappen is also impressed: "I think the mechanics all deserve a beer tonight by being the best in the paddock"