Max Verstappen doesn’t flinch: “Happy now, but race not ideal”

Record success does not make one lose his usual aplomb.

Max Verstappen won the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, taking victory number 100 in Red Bull’s history and, most importantly, joining Ayrton Senna at 41 Formula 1 victories. Despite this, and the fact that he led the race from the first to the last meter, however, the Dutchman spoke hotly of a complicated Sunday.

“Obviously I am very happy now,” Verstappen explained before the podium ceremony, “But it was not a really ideal race, because the tires did not enter the right temperature window. That was because it was very cold today compared to Friday, so we were sliding a lot. We managed to make everything work, though, and to win again today is something incredible.”

Verstappen then dwelt on his personal numbers, which continue to grow from race to race: “It’s fantastic,” the Red Bull driver admitted, “I never expected to get to these numbers, even on a personal level. We continue to have fun and we continue to work hard. Also because I reiterate that today it was really difficult to maintain grip and tire temperature.”