Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen says it was satisfying to lastly be within the hunt for victory at Components 1’s Austrian Grand Prix, as he detailed the automotive points that prevented him from taking the battle to winner George Russell.
In a closely revised Crimson Bull RB22, Verstappen and his group minimize a way more aggressive determine on the group’s residence race in Austria, with the four-time world champion on the right track to qualify second or third behind polesitter Russell till a crash within the penultimate nook stored him in fifth.
However Verstappen rebounded within the race to take the battle to the main Mercedes automobiles. After clearing Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in an prolonged wheel-to-wheel battle, Verstappen was in a position to put stress on Russell, prompting the Briton to expedite his last pitstop to keep away from being undercut by Crimson Bull.
Verstappen delayed his last cease to construct a tyre benefit, however misplaced an excessive amount of time doing so to mount an actual problem on the finish of the 71-lap race.
Dealing with points with the rear axle of his automotive additional performed an element in not having the ability to totally push for his first win of the season, although the Dutchman was nonetheless happy to take his greatest results of 2026 and his second podium of the marketing campaign.
“What was satisfying is that this was the primary time I felt like truly I may battle for the win,” Verstappen stated.
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Pictures through Getty Pictures
“Within the first half of the race we had been extra aggressive, as a result of for no matter cause within the second half one thing felt off on the rear of the automotive. All the things was simply extraordinarily tough from bumps, kerbs, traction – it was simply fully gone.
“That is a little bit of a disgrace, however to be that near a win I feel is a superb effort from the group. They’ve labored actually exhausting to get these upgrades on the automotive right here and that is the primary time within the race the place I felt actually aggressive and I may push a bit extra.”
On the time Verstappen advised his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase on the radio that staying out longer earlier than his last pitstop was “not the appropriate name”, and in hindsight he hadn’t modified his thoughts.
“I do assume I had the degradation [advantage] over George, however I additionally knew it was going to be a really lengthy stint to the tip,” he defined.
“I personally felt that throughout the laps I stayed out I most likely misplaced a bit of bit an excessive amount of in comparison with what I gained again from these further laps on new tyres.
“Nevertheless it’s simple to say now. We nonetheless had an excellent race to be sincere. It has been a reasonably lengthy highway to be right here [on the podium] and have an actual shot at it. That’s already [positive].”
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
