Max Verstappen: Splitting the Mercedes "very good for us"
The Dutchman was pleased with the result despite being well behind Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen knew second place was the best he could do at the Spanish Grand Prix as the Dutchman held off Valtteri Bottas following a lightning start.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff said that Verstappen was the favourite for the race even though he started in third place, and the 22-year-old made quick work of getting past Valtteri Bottas as he was quicker off the line.
Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton rode off into the sunset, however, with the Brit extending his championship lead over Verstappen to 37 points after just six races.
Still, Verstappen was happy to finish second as he knew catching Hamilton for the win was not a realistic target for him on the day.
"I think to be able to split them [the two Mercedes] today was very good for us," the nine-time grand prix winner told Martin Brundle post-race.
"We clearly didn't have the pace like Lewis. [I'm] very happy with second.
"[The] start was crucial to get by Valtteri and from then onwards I was just trying to keep my own pace."
In the final act of the race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Bottas pitted for fresh soft tyres to put pressure on Verstappen but never really came into striking range, much to Verstappen's surprise.
"I expected a little bit more but then quite quickly into that stint I was quite happy with my car and he wasn't really catching, so then I felt quite comfortable.
"We keep trying to improve but so do the others so we keep pushing!"
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