During the Belgian Sprint Race, Max Verstappen got past Pole sitter Oscar Piastri on the opening lap, going into turn 5. A move that saw the Dutchman eventually win the Sprint race. However, he had to fight hard for it as the McLaren’s charged him all the way to the checkered flag.
The Red Bull car might have been strong enough to get past the McLaren in the opening lap of the race, but everything after that was a different story as Verstappen explained in the post-Sprint interview to F1TV.
Verstappen was pushing the car like it was qualifying during the Sprint
No DRS, clean air, and a few small mistakes. That was what Verstappen’s race looked like from the outside of his car. However, Verstappen gives an insight into what it felt like inside the car:
“Worked out really well. That is the only real opportunity you’ll get against them. So pleased to get it. I couldn’t afford to make big mistakes. I had one tiny lock-up in the last corner, but I’m pleased to keep them behind.
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“Keeping faster cars behind, you have to drive beyond the limit of what is possible; it was like 15 qualifying laps!”
While Verstappen may have managed to keep the McLarens behind him today, tomorrow is a different case altogether.
Laurent Mekies praises Verstappen’s Sprint performance
After the Sprint, we saw Helmut Marko and the new Red Bull Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, celebrating with joyful looks. Mekies went ahead and praised Verstappen’s performance during the first race of the weekend:
“The guys did a very good job. Max was under huge pressure for 15 laps and he didn’t do any mistakes. We didn’t have the fastest car today, but ultimately managed to stay there so a very impressive job from the guys.”
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Looking ahead to the main event, however, it’ll be difficult for Red Bull to get too excited. With qualifying later today and McLaren looking very strong across one lap, getting the car on pole will be quite a challenge. Especially if they keep in mind the forecast of Sunday which shows plenty of rain.
