Verstappen sporting after Perez victory: "That he wins is not painful for me"
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Sergio Perez had to wait almost two hundred Grands Prix for it, but his first victory in Formula 1 is now finally a fact. Max Verstappen, was left frustrated because he could have achieved his tenth F1 victory. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old Dutchman reacted well afterwards.
"For him it's beautiful, very nice. That he wins is not painful for me," Verstappen is quoted by De Telegraaf. Possibly, next year Perez will drive next to the Limburger in the RB17 of Red Bull. Alexander Albon had a difficult second weekend in Bahrain and doesn't seem at all sure of a contract extension.
Learning curve for Leclerc
Verstappen also briefly touches upon the moment with Leclerc. "I have a lot of respect for him and he is a great rider, but this is a learning moment for him. He was far too aggressive. A shame, because for all of us there was a top result". It already meant the fifth DNF in sixteen GPs.
Yet the difference with Valtteri Bottas in the world championship is only 16 points. With just one weekend to go in Abu Dhabi, the gap doesn't seem too big to bridge at the Yas Marina Circuit.