Max Verstappen admission: “I was waiting for Charles Leclerc’s mistakes.”

An overtaking that also took place thanks to the difficulties of the rival.

Max Verstappen crossed the finish line of the Sao Paulo Sprint Race in third place, ahead of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque’s Ferrari è had to surrender only in the finale, after resisting the rival’s attack at the start but suffering in the finale of the Interlagos race. A situation that the Red Bull Dutchman himself confirmed without mincing words.

"The race è was difficult, but the pace è was good – said Verstappen warmly -. However, we are satisfied that we were able to stay close to the McLarens, even maintaining the DRS zone. Regarding Leclerc, however, it è took me time to pass him and the reason è just that Ferrari was also in the DRS train. And that makes it difficult to attack".

The key, then, was precisely the problems Ferrari experienced in the finale. "I had to wait for Leclerc to make some mistakes. When è it happened, then, I was able to use those situations to my advantage – explained Verstappen -. The premises for a good race in Interlagos are there, my race pace è what I had in the Sprint Race".

Now the goal è a good Sao Paulo Grand Prix for him and his Red Bull. "Tomorrow it could also rain, so we will have to see what happens on the track. I don’t think he will be able to do too well on the flying lap, so in qualifying I hope to limit the damage. The race will beà then all to build, since moreover he will startà moreù back because of the five penalty positions", recalled Verstappen.