Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen says it was satisfying to lastly be within the hunt for victory at Method 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 workforce reduce a way more aggressive determine on the workforce’s dwelling race in Austria, with the four-time world champion on track to qualify second or third behind polesitter Russell till a crash within the penultimate nook stored him in fifth.
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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 strain on Russell, prompting the Briton to expedite his ultimate pitstop to keep away from being undercut by Crimson Bull.
Verstappen delayed his ultimate 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 absolutely 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 really I might battle for the win,” Verstappen mentioned.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
“Within the first half of the race we had been extra aggressive, as a result of for no matter purpose within the second half one thing felt off on the rear of the automotive. The whole lot was simply extraordinarily troublesome from bumps, kerbs, traction – it was simply utterly gone.
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“That is a little bit of a disgrace, however to be that near a win I feel is a superb effort from the workforce. 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 might push a bit extra.”
On the time Verstappen advised his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase on the radio that staying out longer earlier than his ultimate pitstop was “not the fitting name”, and in hindsight he hadn’t modified his thoughts.
“I do suppose 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 slightly bit an excessive amount of in comparison with what I gained again from these further laps on new tyres.
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“Nevertheless it’s straightforward to say now. We nonetheless had an excellent race to be trustworthy. 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:
Oscar Piastri escapes punishment at F1 Austrian GP
F1 Austrian GP: George Russell holds off charging Max Verstappen to second 2026 F1 win
5 fast takeaways from the F1 Austrian GP
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