F1, Max Verstappen responds in kind to George Russell

F1, Verstappen no-nonsense: “There was no reason to gain half a second a lap”

In an interview with “BBC” microphones, Max Verstappen spoke on the accusations made by George Russell about Red Bull’s conduct in the Melbourne GP. According to the Mercedes driver, the Milton Keynes-based team has so far not shown its full potential for fear that the FIA will intervene with a change in regulations to redress the balance.

“We were trying to make the most of the car and at the same time manage the pace,” said the Dutchman. “In that situation we could not know how long the hard tire would last. Our goal was to bring home the win. We had more pace than the others, but there was no reason to push and gain half a second a lap with the risk of seriously damaging our tires. A Safety Car or a red flag could have come, so there was no need to take such a gamble,” said the two-time World Champion.

Red Bull team principal Horner had already spoken on the subject: “Perez’s race was a clear example that we did not hide to avoid showing this supposed advantage. In Melbourne the gaps were smaller,” these were his words.