Formula 1
MAX VICTORIOUS ON HOME SOIL LCH PISSED AT MERCEDES FERRARI DO WHAT THEY DO BEST AND FERNANDO HAS SAID HE WAS SO SORRY.
MAX VERSTAPPEN – 1st “Today was quite eventful and not a straightforward race at all. We had to make the right calls and it all worked out well in the end. Mercedes were very quick on the harder compound, which we didn’t expect, so it made it more difficult for us as we were less compatible with the hards.
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 04: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 passes his team celebrating on the pitwall during the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 04, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
We managed everything quite well and we made the right calls on the strategy, so well done to the team here and back at the factory. It’s always special to win your home Grand Prix, but this year I had to work even harder for it. It’s incredible to win again in front of this crowd, we’ve had unbelievable support here and I’m proud to be Dutch.”
SERGIO PÉREZ – 5th “Obviously this is a great day for the team, but it wasn’t the best day at the office for me. I struggled with tyre degradation in the first and second stints, and I never quite got the balance where I wanted it to be.
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 04: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 04, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
It was a hectic race with incidents in the pit lane, but I was lucky that my front wing wasn’t damaged when I drove over the wheel gun. Despite the difficulty I had, we managed to save some good points. There’s lots to take away from today and plenty to understand from our side so that we can come back strong in Monza.”
CHRISTIAN HORNER – Team Principal and CEO
“This was a huge race with an incredible amount of anticipation and pressure. It was also a tough race strategically. First, with the virtual safety car and then the full safety car. To pit Max in the lead with 12 laps to go, putting him behind two Mercedes, is a big call, but it was the right one. We would prefer to be on the better tyre. However, what you see here is only 10 per cent of the team, it’s what goes on behind the scenes that really makes this possible
ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 04: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing fans enjoy the atmosphere during the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on September 04, 2022 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
. The team is operating at an extremely high level and it’s all the support and effort that you don’t see back in Milton Keynes that makes a victory like this possible. All in all, it was a fantastic team performance and both drivers were in the zone from the moment they arrived at the track. Checo was unfortunately jumped at the restart by Carlos and I think, in hindsight, we should have overruled his preference for the medium tyre, but he had a strong race. We’re in a great position and we are happy, although nothing is done until it is done. We operate one race at a time and we don’t allow ourselves to think too far ahead. It’s Monza next week, we’re looking forward to it and hopefully can carry this form into that race.”