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Verstappen speaks of 'precarious moment': 'Bit of a hairy moment'

1 July 2023 at 16:24
Last update 1 July 2023 at 16:28
  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Max Verstappen is happy with his victory in the sprint race in Austria. For a while it looked like the Dutchman would have to chase his Mexican teammate, but the Dutchman very quickly put things right. Still, the reigning world champion was not happy about being pushed onto the grass after the first corner.

Verstappen survives opening lap

"It was a bit of a hairy moment out of Turn 1, and when you get forced onto the grass it's slippery but we managed to keep the car under control, and just did our race again," Verstappen looked back on his race at the Red Bull Ring directly on the grid.

He added: "The start was not ideal. A bit of wheel spin, but after Lap 1, once we got back in the lead, it was good," said Verstappen, who had to keep his intermediates alive. "Just managing the tyres, if it was not going to rain again. 24 laps on an intermediate is a lot, but they were hanging in there. The last five laps the slicks were a lot faster, but being so far ahead it didn't make sense to pit."

Verstappen is one point off in the battle for the world championship. Sergio Perez was stuck in third place behind Nico Hulkenberg for a long time, but midway through the race, the other Red Bull driver secured second place in Spielberg.