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Verstappen explains what happened in chaotic Portimao opening lap
- GPblog.com
In the post race press conference Max Verstappen reflected on a chaotic first lap on the circuit of Portimao. The Red Bull didn't get the best of starts whereas other drivers flew through the field.
"The start itself was quite OK. It was hectic also the first lap," Verstappen said. At turn three the Dutchman went a bit wide and was then behind Lewis Hamilton, but at the same time he also had Sergio Perez next to him. "He was going around the outside in Turn 4 but then, I don't know, he didn't leave enough space and basically he took himself out while I was just driving on the normal line."
Verstappen on the defensive
Perez was of a different opinion and stated that he gave Verstappen enough room. Fortunately for Red Bull and Verstappen, the RB16 did not suffer any damage, but it did lose speed. "I had Charles and Carlos behind, so I had to defend, but then I locked up a bit, so I had to go wide," said the Dutchman.
"Yeah, it was a disaster! I had no grip and suddenly those McLarens were flying. They were absolutely flying and I lost positions to them - but I also didn't want to risk too much, because normally they are not the ones we fight against in the race. But clearly the first lap they were unbelievable. I tried to stay out of trouble a bit, tried to settle down. Then I had Kimi behind me. "
"I was shocked about that because I thought:" Am I really going to… like, what's going on? " Kimi was flying, probably his rally driving helped him a bit in the first lap or something because that was pretty impressive. He must have been P6? But anyway, kept him behind, everything settled down," he concluded.