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Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen

Photo: © LAT Images

Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen

The Dutchman produced a composed drive and took advantage of Lewis Hamilton's penalty to finish P2

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen conceded Red Bull "have to be happy" to have split the Mercedes drivers after finishing second place in the Russian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman finished behind winner Valtteri Bottas and was well clear of Lewis Hamilton in third, the world champion having suffered a 10-second penalty as a result of two practice start violations.

Verstappen had failed to finish either of the previous two grands prix, in the Italian and Tuscan races, and speaking to Johnny Herbert in his podium interview he expressed satisfaction to have finished so well.

He said: "[I had] very low grip on the inside, that cost us a bit.

"After the restart, we were a little bit slower on the medium, I was having a little bit of problem with the balance, but once we went onto that hard tyre we were a little bit more competitive.

"To be able to split the Mercedes cars again, we have to be happy with that.  I just tried to do my own race. I'm very happy with second, especially after two DNFs."

Verstappen's finish moved him onto 128 points for the season and solidifies his position in third spot in the driver's championship.

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