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Verstappen surprised by stewards' call: 'Nothing strange done'
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."