Max Verstappen buoyed by title lead but concedes Red Bull "couldn't push" in Valtteri Bottas chase

Verstappen, Turkey, Red Bull, F1 — Photo: © LAT Images

Turkish Grand Prix

1 reactie

Verstappen buoyed by title lead but concedes Red Bull "couldn't push" in Bottas chase

Verstappen retook the championship lead with P2 in Turkey

Sam Hall

Sunday 10 October 2021 16:05 Updated: 16:11

Max Verstappen insisted he "couldn't really push" during a damp Turkish Grand Prix.

Verstappen started and finished second to Valtteri Bottas as the Finn dominated in Istanbul with the Dutchman eventually finishing 14.5 seconds adrift of the Mercedes driver.

The Red Bull driver was able to take the positives from the weekend after turning a two-point deficit in the standings into a six-point championship lead with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth.

Article continues under video

"It was not easy today," said Verstappen. "The track was very greasy, we just had to manage the tyres the whole race so we couldn't really push.

"It just seemed like Valtteri had a bit more pace and could look after the tyres maybe a bit better as well.

"But I'm of course still happy to finish second because in these conditions it is also easy to get it wrong and you drop back. So overall I'm very pleased."

Enduring a somewhat lonely race, asked what the most difficult aspect of the race was, Verstappen joked, "To stay awake!

"No, it was all about just managing the tyres. So you were never pushing to make it to a certain number of laps and then you box for another set.

"But I'm happy to be on the podium."

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Penalty Points 2026: Which stars risk race ban after Japanese Grand Prix?

1 hour ago

Toto Wolff reacts to Mercedes F1 reshuffle: 'You realise someone is more clever than you'

1 hour ago

Max Verstappen knew these new F1 regulations would be bad, he told everybody three years ago

2 hours ago

$Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing$

Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing

3 hours ago

Ferrari F1 suspect Mercedes skullduggery with new engine trick

Today 09:51

Lewis Hamilton's F1 boss confident of FIA Ferrari decision: 'A new championship will begin'