Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen made a number of brilliant overtakes during the Brazilian Grand Prix, with one in particular on Force India’s Sergio Perez, hailed as brilliant by many.
Whilst the Dutch rookie was able to work his way through the pack, second-placed Lewis Hamilton repeatedly complained that it was “impossible to pass” around Interlagos.
Many on social media compared his race to that of Verstappen, saying the 18-year-old is evidence that you can, but Verstappen has come to Hamilton’s defence, admitting overtaking a car that is identical in very way makes things a lot harder.
“With a Mercedes, maybe they have problems when they are very close to each other,” he is quoted by Motorsport.
“Plus, their speed is higher, and they both had good pace, so maybe it is more difficult for them.
“I know when the Toro Rossos are behind each other it is difficult to get past, so if you have the same type of car it is very hard.”
Verstappen believes the key to making sure passing happens is to have cars that have varying strengths and weaknesses.
“We have very good cornering speed, so if we are behind a Lotus, Sauber or Force India we catch up in the fast corners, even when we are [directly] behind,” he added.
“For them [Mercedes], it is equal everywhere – on the corners and the straights. When your car is exactly the same as your teammate and you are behind, it is very tough.
“And when you are behind, you lose a lot in the fast corners. So I can understand Lewis saying that.”
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