Max Verstappen says he’s happy with Crimson Bull’s efficiency within the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he dominated the race however misplaced out on the drivers’ championship to Lando Norris.
The defending champion wanted to win the race and have Norris end off the rostrum to retain his title, resulting in expectations he would again the sphere as much as try to create alternatives for others to get forward of the McLaren. Nevertheless, Oscar Piastri – beginning on laborious tires in comparison with the opposite two title contenders on mediums – overtook Norris in the beginning and Verstappen mentioned it made it too troublesome to strive that method.
“Truthfully, we maximized all the things that we might,” Verstappen mentioned. “We put it on pole and we gained the race. We had very sturdy tempo, so there’s actually not a lot that I might have completed in a different way.
“What difficult it a bit was that Oscar was on a special technique. You by no means know when he then pits, how a lot tempo he has in hand to catch up once more. That additionally complicates a bit attempting to maintain the pack collectively or no matter. Total, simply very proud once more of the weekend that we had. We put all of it on the market and the automobile was truly fulfilling to drive.
“I had a whole lot of situations in my head [pre-race], however then [once] I knew the tires Oscar had on the automobile, that might be fairly troublesome. I believe we had been in all probability a bit too fast up entrance. The others couldn’t actually observe that effectively.
“Charles [Leclerc] drove his coronary heart out as we speak to try to get onto that podium, in order that was additionally spectacular to see. They went for a two-stop. I believe even that made it extra difficult as a result of for those who keep on a one-stop, backing the entire thing up is hard. This new format round right here makes it even tougher to try this in comparison with 2016 or no matter.”
Verstappen admits he was being attentive to what was occurring behind him whereas extending his lead, as he wrapped up a 3rd race win in a row however fell two factors quick within the championship struggle.
“I simply stored wanting on the display screen to see if one thing would pop up,” he mentioned. “The race itself went very well, and I used to be simply having fun with sitting within the automobile and driving it. Each straight you retain wanting if one thing occurs, however on the similar time, that is a part of racing, so I used to be probably not too fussed about it.”
The Dutchman had phrases of reward for Norris and McLaren after the season finale, 4 years on from his personal first championship in Abu Dhabi.
“Successful your first title is one thing that I believe all of us dreamt of while you get into the game,” he mentioned. “You’re employed for that because you’re just a little child. It’s what you dream of, so while you win your first title, that is very emotional – I hope [it is] for Lando as effectively.
“I noticed a whole lot of his household is right here, so it’s necessary to take pleasure in this so much tonight, [and] additionally along with his staff. I believe, once more, that’s one other story the place it confirmed that even when you’ve gotten robust years, while you preserve working laborious, you retain including good folks to the staff, you’ll be able to overcome all of these issues and you may change into very profitable once more. They’d an unimaginable season collectively, so it’s necessary that they take pleasure in it.”
