Verstappen used secret tactic to win Austrian Grand Prix

17:32, 01 Jul 2018
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He drove a brilliant race to take victory in front of thousands of Dutch fans but Red Bull revealed the tactics Max Verstappen used in order to win at the Red Bull Ring.
Verstappen pitted under the virtual safety car on lap 15 along with his teammate and both Ferrari's, committing all of them on a one-stop strategy until Daniel Ricciardo reported serious blistering and opted for a fresh set soon after.
Blistering had become a real problem for drivers during the race and team principal Christian Horner revealed after the race the tactic Verstappen had been using late on to stay ahead of both Ferrari's.
"It (the blistering) wasn't predicted coming into the race, but it is hot today and the load in these last two right corners, they are massive the amount of energy these tyres have to take up around there," he told Sky F1.
"So that is where Max was really cute today. He backed off through those right-handers and made his time in the other parts of the circuit. A really, really mature drive."
Having been criticised earlier on in the season for silly mistakes and inconsistency, his driving of late has been exceptional and his victory in Austria and his boss described his win as "unbelievable".
"He was keeping the rear left cooler than the rear right, and the rear left here is the one that takes all the load.
"He was constantly asking for information and managing those tyres and that is why they didn't blister up. A very, very mature drive for him."
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