Verstappen surprised by stewards' call: 'Nothing strange done'
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Max Verstappen does not understand why he has to report to the stewards. The Red Bull Racing driver does not see the problem and points to the introduction of a new rule as the cause of the longer wait in the pit lane.
"Everyone is trying to make a gap," Verstappen said in the press conference. "I saw a car passing five cars behind me and then he tried to pass me as well, but I'm just trying to make a gap out of the pit lane and that's basically what everyone has been doing. I'm quite surprised. Normally, I think everyone should then be called up for impeding because everyone with this new rule is driving very slowly in the pit lane. I don't think I did anything weird or wrong."
By 'this new rule', Verstappen is referring to the fact that the FIA has decided to introduce a maximum lap time. Drivers have to complete a lap of the track within a certain time and that is not always possible, as drivers are also looking for a gap to do a quick run in qualifying. As a result, drivers now wait longer in the pit lane.
Advantage with strategy
Despite a third starting spot, the Dutchman is still confident enough for a win in Mexico City. "I also [still] have two [sets of] hard tyres, so nobody else has them around me, so that's also maybe an advantage for tomorrow. Again, a lot can happen in turn one."