Max Verstappen extended his 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship title lead to 63 points with victory at the French Grand Prix on Sunday as Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Pérez finished in fourth place.
Dutchman Verstappen started in second position with Mexican Pérez third as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc opened up an early lead before he crashed into the wall at Turn 11 to force his retirement and bring the safety car out.
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JULY 24: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 24, 2022 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
Verstappen duly held on for a comfortable victory as Mercedes driver George Russell passed Pérez late on to deny him another podium finish with Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly finishing in 12th and Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda exiting the race early at Circuit Paul Ricard.
MAX VERSTAPPEN – 1st
“We had really good pace from the start, although following around here, the tyres overheated a lot so I couldn’t really go for a move but I stayed calm and stayed close. It was really unlucky for Charles and I’m glad he’s OK, it could have been a really fun race because both cars were so quick! From there I just concentrated on my own race and looked after the tyres. The pit lane is so long here so that prevented us from having another pit stop. Today was a great day but there are plenty more races ahead of us and I just always aim for the most points possible, the fight is nowhere near over.”
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JULY 24: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team after the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 24, 2022 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
SERGIO PEREZ – 4th
“It was a difficult one out there today, I was off the pace and unfortunately wasn’t able to get the podium we wanted. I struggled with tyre management and it was tough to get on top of it. I had a close battle with George, but it was a good one. I wish we could have pushed for a 1-2, but Mercedes were very strong and it was difficult to overtake them. There are some bits for us to analyse and hopefully I will recover my pace and come back stronger for Hungary.”
LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JULY 24: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 24, 2022 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
CHRISTIAN HORNER – Team Principal and CEO
“The main thing today is that Charles was OK, it was a cracking race between Max and him in that first stint. We pushed the button early and went for the undercut, Max had effectively taken track position, so it’s a shame we didn’t get to see how that played out, it would have been a great battle. In the end it was a straightforward victory for Max and a very good point scoring day. It was frustrating we didn’t have Checo on the podium too, it was just bad timing for the virtual safety car for him, there was a software error so they were held longer than they should have been. We have to keep pushing this season and look to get the best out of every ounce of performance, there are lots of factors at play but today was a big day for us.”