Max Verstappen says Red Bull extracted the maximum from its package at the Brazilian Grand Prix as he recorded fifth position, ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
Verstappen started from fourth spot and maintained his position through the first stint, before falling behind Lewis Hamilton as the Mercedes driver continued his charge.
Verstappen requested a second pit stop, to which Red Bull agreed, after struggling with tyre wear, dropping him away from the lead quartet, as he came home in fifth.
“In general this is not a track that suits our car and together with the power deficit on the straights it is very hard for us,” he said.
“You then try and catch up on the corners, but you ask too much of the tyres and get more drop-off.
“Of course I hoped for more in the race but it was a difficult situation, but I think we maximised the result and that was fifth.
“I didn’t want to drive the last ten or 15 laps with difficult tyres and at the end of the day I wasn’t going to lose a position, so we decided to make a second pit stop.
“From there on the race was gone but I pushed for the fastest lap, I didn’t get it in Mexico, so I’m really pleased to take it here.”
Ricciardo, meanwhile, was spun on the opening lap after being involved in a collision with Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne, before mounting his recovery to sixth.
“It was quite tight and I saw a space on the outside so I tried to get as much room as I could but I knew there were two cars on the inside so there was always a risk they would have contact and then come into me,” said Ricciardo.
“I think that’s what happened but I don’t regret trying. The start is an opportunity to make up a big chunk of positions and as I was nearly at the back I had to try something.
“Fortunately the car didn’t suffer any damage. We just changed the tyres and then I could get on with the race and make some good overtakes, and it was a good race.
“Every time I was catching a car I passed it as soon as I could and there were some good fights. In the end, a comfortable sixth.”
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