Verstappen explains the 'secret' of 'lot faster' McLaren
F1 News
While Max Verstappen crossed the finish line not far off Lando Norris, the defending champion does not see that this result would show the actual gap. Verstappen pointed out the Woking-based team's strenghts in Australia.
Verstappen eventually finished in P2 after Oscar Piastri spun across in the penultimate two corners. At one point however, Verstappen trailed his rivals by 16 seconds on track.
"They were just much faster. My tyres overheated much faster, you can see that with the other teams behind me. They have the same problem," Verstappen began to Viaplay.
He then continued to explain what makes McLaren stand out this moment in time. "McLaren doesn't have that (the overheating, ed.). When the tyres go down, that's exactly where you see they are a lot faster than everyone else."
Strategy gamble and Red Bull made no difference
After Piastri spun right across him, Norris immediately entered the pit lane for a stop. Verstappen and Red Bull however opted for another lap. "Only at turns 11, 12 and 13 was it raining, but the rest was dry. Nothing else would have mattered. You can take a gamble, but we weren't fast enough anyway."
After chaotic race however, Verstappen appreciates finishing in second place, only locking up once today. "You have to drive hard, but also stay out of trouble. Mistakes are easily made, but to come second here is very good," he concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Marnik Kok
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