Verstappen gamble backfires, but Max backs Red Bull

Max Verstappen was happy with Red Bull's wet-weather gamble at the German Grand Prix, despite a swift switch to intermediate tyres backfiring. Verstappen finished fourth at Hockenheim, losing no places when he was forced to pit twice in the space of three laps.

Rain brought utter chaos to the end of Sunday's race and all five tyre compounds - medium, soft, ultrasoft, intermediate and extreme wet - were circulating the track at the same time at one point.

Verstappen was one to gamble and fit intermediate tyres when heavy rain began to fall at the hairpin, however the showers did not extend to the rest of the track and the Dutchman was among a group who had to give up as they began to overheat.

The move ultimately cost Verstappen no places - he had been fourth when the rain began to fall - and it was a risk he said was worth taking, having seen Sebastian Vettel skate off the road and into the barriers to lose a likely win.

"After such a chaotic race I think finishing fourth is a good result and the car felt strong throughout the race," Verstappen said.

"It was a hard day for decision making due to the late changes in the weather. I had a small slide at Turn 6 when it first started to rain so I decided to pit for Intermediates.

"As soon as I came out of the pits and got to Turn 6 it was dry again. I knew it was not going to work, it could have done but unfortunately it didn't continue raining enough.

"Sometimes these decisions work for you, sometimes not as we experienced today. The safety car meant it didn't impact the result but it was worth trying at the time.

"The heavy rain came a fraction too late in the day, perhaps we could have done more but instead we had to settle for dryer conditions.

"We should be in better shape to get a good result in Hungary so I'm already looking forward to next weekend."