Formula 1
MAX IN THE ARDENNES FOREST OR ANYWHERE ELSE, RESULTS ARE THE SAME, WIN WIN WIN! A GREAT RESULT FOR PIASTRI WITH P2 AND ALPINE SO NEEDED THIS THIRD SPOT ON THE PODIUM.
At the moment, it looks like our car is fast on the wet and the dry so I’m pretty chilled and looking forward to the race tomorrow.
“It wasn’t a straightforward race today, we made the safer call with the pit stop because there was a lot of risk in pitting straight away, I opted to stay out for another lap. After that, as soon as I came out on the intermediates, I could see that we had a lot of pace, it was just a matter of time. The weather of course was challenging today, it was okay from my position, but I understand that the people behind me were still struggling to see.
SPA, BELGIUM – JULY 29: Sprint winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing is presented with his trophy by Jacky Ickx in parc ferme during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 29, 2023 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
There are some improvements to be made with the visibility, but I think race control did the smart thing today, they took some time to analyze everything and that was wise. At the moment, it looks like our car is fast on the wet and the dry so I’m pretty chilled and looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
Max increased his lead by a further eight points in the world championship with a calculated and convincing victory ahead of Australian rookie Oscar Piastri in Saturday’s rain-delayed sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s double defending world champion rode his luck when McLaren’s Piastri snatched the lead by making an early pit-stop to switch from wet to intermediate tyres, to storm back and win by 6.6 seconds
Max’s win extended Red Bull’s record this year to 14 wins from 14 races — 11 grands prix and three sprints.
He said he agreed with Red Bull’s strategy decision, which cost him the early lead, but ensured he was able to go on and win.
I think it was just a safer call,” he said.
SPA, BELGIUM – JULY 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 29, 2023 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
“I could come in first, but then I might be blocked by other cars. There might be a Safety Car and then you lose out massively, so I didn’t mind to stay out.
“I mean we lost one position, but we know we are quick and you could see that when we put the ‘inter’ tyres on we were flying so it was ok.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, when he will start sixth after taking a five-place penalty, Verstappen said his chief concern was not only the possible change of conditions, but also the risk of a collision at La Source, the hairpin first corner.
“I need to pass a few cars so I think the biggest risk is just lap one, especially Turn One. It’s always very tricky there so, as long as we stay out of trouble, I think we will have a quick car.”