Max Verstappen believes a failed try to make it to the top of the Australian Grand Prix on slick tires was nonetheless a danger value taking as he was set to complete second regardless.
A late burst of rain led to the 2 main McLaren drivers slide off the observe within the ultimate sector, with Oscar Piastri caught on the grass for almost a complete lap. Lando Norris was in a position to rejoin shortly and enter the pits, however Verstappen stayed out on slicks to guide for 2 laps earlier than additionally stopping and dropping again behind the McLaren.
“We had been on the medium (tire), and also you by no means understand how that’s going to work out, however I assumed it was fairly a smart name with 15, 16, or 20 laps to go when the protection automobile got here out,” Verstappen mentioned. “Then it began to rain. I noticed them go off in entrance of me, saved it clear, and once I noticed Oscar rejoining, I assumed, ‘Nicely, let’s keep out,’ as a result of it was solely these three corners. The remainder was nonetheless dry.
“After I continued, principally, the primary two sectors had been fantastic – it was simply if I might survive the ultimate sector. I feel that lap I did was OK. If there wasn’t far more rain coming, I assumed it might work. You additionally should think about that even when they caught me on an inter, they’d should field once more for slicks, if it’s not going to rain anymore. So, it was fantastic.
“I assumed, ‘Yeah, we’ll do one other lap,’ however then, sadly, on that lap, the primary sector was nonetheless OK-ish, however then in Sector 2, it began to rain a bit an excessive amount of and we needed to field.
“However in hindsight, it wouldn’t have mattered. If I’d boxed with Lando, it might have been P2. If I’d boxed the subsequent lap, it might have been P2. And the lap that I did field, I used to be additionally P2. So, we tried one thing else – it might need labored. In a method, it didn’t work, however we didn’t lose any place, so it’s fantastic.”
After pitting for intermediates, Verstappen pushed Norris all the best way to the flag after one other late security automobile, however he says he by no means felt he might make a transfer and remains to be cautious of the efficiency benefit McLaren confirmed earlier within the race.
“I feel it’s good in comparison with the groups behind us. However should you have a look at the primary stint, we had been fairly a bit off. As quickly because the tires began to overheat, we had no likelihood. McLaren simply took off.
“So, we nonetheless have lots of work to do to combat for a win. However I’m glad that we’re second right here. It’s principally one place higher than we must always have been. And it’s 18 extra factors than I had final 12 months at this race.”
