Verstappen doubted early stop: "No slicks, no slicks yet!"
General
- GPblog.com
Max Verstappen had a roller coaster of emotions during the Hungarian Grand Prix. More than twenty minutes before the start it seemed that the Dutchman wouldn't be able to start when the lights went out, but in the end he managed to convert his disappointing weekend into second place. We have a list of his most important onboard radios from the start.
Dramatic start of Sunday
Verstappen started dramatically on Sunday in Hungary. On his way to the starting grid he parked his Red Bull Racing RB16 in the wall in turn 12. Verstappen wants to drive into the pits at that moment and is told by his engineer that that's the best. Until his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase insists on just driving to his starting position. Verstappen sounds doubtful but goes to the grid: "Okay, but it's the whole suspension and all."
His mechanics get the impossible done. Five minutes before the lights go out for the warm-up lap the RB16 is reassembled and Verstappen can start anyway. And it was a strong start too: "What a great start that was", says Verstappen, who immediately climbs four places. Lambiase immediately says that Verstappen has to stay focused and keep an eye on the conditions.
Doubts at the pit stops
Soon the first cars come in for the pit stops. "No slicks, no slicks yet," says Verstappen in the third lap of the race. "What lap times do we do now?" Verstappen wants to know. "You're now driving 1 minute 43, Bottas is three tenths faster on slicks in sector two", Lambiase answers. "Then we'll make a pit stop too", Verstappen assures.
Verstappen manages to finish the race in a strong second place because he managed to keep Valtteri Bottas behind him in the last lap. Lewis Hamilton was one size too big for the Dutchman on Sunday.