Max Verstappen stated he was not aggravated by the digital security automobile within the closing levels of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix which stopped him from attacking for second place, saying he has benefited from suspensions prior to now.
The defending champion closed a major hole on Charles Leclerc within the second stint of the race, which the race engineer described as “insane”, and was inside DRS from the penultimate lap. Nevertheless, Carlos Sainz stopped within the stadium part, VSC needed to push his automobile behind the barrier, and the race solely resumed on the ultimate lap after Leclerc and Verstappen had handed the important thing overtaking spots.
“No, I am not that (pissed off),” Verstappen stated. “I imply, in my profession, the protection automobile has been very type to me generally. So generally you win, generally you lose. That is what racing is like. I believe it might have been enjoyable to the top. Properly, it might need been a little bit extra enjoyable for me than it was for Charles to defend, however I believe it was a enjoyable ending for everybody to see.”
Verstappen was the one driver within the prime eight to begin on medium tires and admitted he was shocked nobody adopted his technique, however he additionally admitted he didn’t count on he would have the tempo to struggle for the highest three given Purple Bull’s struggles in Mexico.
“Personally, I did not count on to be on the rostrum,” he stated. “I do not assume it appeared that manner an excessive amount of within the first stint both. I imply, on the time I believed we have been simply gradual and fighting the tires. Definitely, after that, if we had modified to softs and everybody else had mediums, I believe every thing would have appeared a little bit extra aggressive.”
“We’re nonetheless not at Lando’s degree contemplating the race averages, however the mushy was positively a greater compound for racing and every thing felt a little bit higher. General, it was actually good to be third in a tough weekend for us.”
Verstappen received off to begin, attacking for the highest three positions, however was vast off the sphere at Flip 1, then received concerned in a tussle with Lewis Hamilton, and fell again to Olly Bearman’s Haas within the first stint.
“The beginning of the race was very hectic for me,” Verstappen stated. “I had a extremely good begin after which I had a extremely future to Flip 1 and I used to be on the skin, three or 4 vast, so I bottomed out on the curb. I simply stored bottoming out and virtually hit the grass.”
“A number of issues occurred after that. Everybody round me was on mushy tyres, I used to be on medium and I appeared like I used to be struggling a bit. I used to be attempting to outlive the primary stint and go so long as I might on that tire… As soon as I placed on the mushy tyre, I used to be a little bit bit extra aggressive, a little bit bit happier. It was a tough weekend for us, however I believe it is nonetheless superb to have the ability to struggle for P2 contemplating every thing that occurred within the first few laps.” Outcome. “
Regardless of the end result closing the hole on the championship chief to 36 factors with Norris changing Oscar Piastri, Verstappen stated the efficiency confirmed how tough it might be for him to win this yr’s title.
“Once you take a look at it that manner, we misplaced 10 (factors) to Lando,” he stated. “I stated earlier than the weekend that every thing needed to go completely to win, however this weekend it did not go completely.
“It will be a tricky scenario, however let’s take into consideration what we will do at different tracks. After all we hope that we by no means expertise a weekend like this once more, however nonetheless, all eventualities present that we’re not quick and that’s one thing we have to perceive a little bit higher.”
