Verstappen 'playing' with Norris: 'Seemed like he was getting closer'

"The initial getaway wasn't that fantastic. I think my release wasn't very good, but then the second bit was very strong and I could get alongside [Lando] so that definitely helped at the beginning of the race. 24 laps around here, it's all about time management, it's just incredibly difficult around here. A lot of deg. Last year we were struggling a lot with that already in the sprint race and that's why I was a bit careful," Verstappen said at the press conference.

Verstappen keeps Norris at bay

When Verstappen was asked from what point he had to manage the tyres, the Dutchman said it was necessary from the very first lap. "There is not one lap that I pushed flat out. You can't, it's impossible."

Still, Verstappen managed to hold off Norris to drive to victory. It seemed like Verstappen even played with the Brit for a moment at times. ''Yeah, that was a piece of cake..... Just kidding!", said Verstappen quickly after. "Like I said, it's all about management and at one point of the race, it looked like Lando was catching a bit and then I had a better feeling with the car again and I could look after the tyres a bit better and then I could pull away and at the end."

"It was close and I think tomorrow [Sunday] also we have pit stops in the race so you never know what can happen." Asked if he will have a tougher start starting on the other side of the grid, Verstappen concluded with the following: "We'll see. Tomorrow again is also a bit of a different start on full-fuel loads. So I think it requires a bit of a different launch, but we'll find out tomorrow."