close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Verstappen laments VSC period in Azerbaijan

Photo: © LAT Images

Verstappen laments VSC period in Azerbaijan

The slower pace didn't help Red Bull.

Max Verstappen believes that Red Bull were looking strong in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix towards the latter stages, but the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car period and the subsequent lower pace meant that they were unable to keep up to speed with the leaders due to their cooling tyres.

With 11 laps remaining, Gasly suffered a gearbox issue which forced him off the track, and even though he didn’t pose an immediate on-track obstacle to the other drivers, a VSC was introduced, meaning that drivers were not allowed to overtake.

Mercedes set new F1 record as Bottas leads Hamilton home in BakuRead more

This negatively affected Gasly’s team-mate, Verstappen, who was closing the gap on the top three.

"I lost a bit of time behind [Sergio] Perez but you don't want to risk it in lap one," the Dutchman said.

Related image
Related image

"Afterwards the pace we showed on the medium tyre was good because up until the VSC we were catching like seven or eight seconds.

"But after the VSC we just didn't have the grip or tyre temperature and that's key around here. I couldn't push anymore so decided to bring it home."

Verstappen eventually finished fourth and is fourth in the driver’s championship for 2019 - one point adrift of Sebastian Vettel and four points ahead of Charles Leclerc.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton replacement confirmed, star claims Kim Kardashian 'setup'

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton replacement confirmed, star claims Kim Kardashian 'setup'

  • 21 minutes ago
F1 retires seven-time champion in embarrassing Barcelona GP mix-up

F1 retires seven-time champion in embarrassing Barcelona GP mix-up

  • 47 minutes ago
George Russell reveals Toto Wolff relationship has changed since Mercedes struggles

George Russell reveals Toto Wolff relationship has changed since Mercedes struggles

  • 1 hour ago
Barcelona Grand Prix will be live and FREE on TV this weekend

Barcelona Grand Prix will be live and FREE on TV this weekend

  • 2 hours ago
Fernando Alonso tipped for shock exit as SEVERAL teams courting Aston Martin star

Fernando Alonso tipped for shock exit as SEVERAL teams courting Aston Martin star

  • 3 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton teases ‘exciting innovations’ to come from Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton teases ‘exciting innovations’ to come from Ferrari

  • 3 hours ago

Just in

23:26
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton replacement confirmed, star claims Kim Kardashian 'setup'
23:00
F1 retires seven-time champion in embarrassing Barcelona GP mix-up
22:15
George Russell reveals Toto Wolff relationship has changed since Mercedes struggles
21:30
Barcelona Grand Prix will be live and FREE on TV this weekend
20:45
Fernando Alonso tipped for shock exit as SEVERAL teams courting Aston Martin star
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Barcelona Grand Prix will be live and FREE on TV this weekend Barcelona Grand Prix

Barcelona Grand Prix will be live and FREE on TV this weekend

2 hours ago
Fernando Alonso tipped for shock exit as SEVERAL teams courting Aston Martin star Latest F1 News

Fernando Alonso tipped for shock exit as SEVERAL teams courting Aston Martin star

3 hours ago
Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff calls lawyer over Monaco GP penalty controversy Latest F1 News

Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff calls lawyer over Monaco GP penalty controversy

Today 18:55
F1 Results Today: Barcelona Grand Prix practice times and positions Barcelona Grand Prix

F1 Results Today: Barcelona Grand Prix practice times and positions

Today 18:21
Ontdek het op Google Play
x