Max Verstappen pinpointed passing Lando Norris at the start as a “quite critical” moment that proved decisive in him triumphing in the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen started second but made an excellent launch from the start to draw alongside Norris and gain the inside line, despite his rival pushing him onto the grass.
However, George Russell utilised the extensive run down to Turn 1 and the slipstream from the top two to swoop around Verstappen and Norris’ outside into the lead.
But Verstappen managed to edge out Norris and then overtook Russell into the first corner on the third lap to open up a seven-second advantage in the opening stint.
With Norris mounting a late charge to end up 2.2 seconds behind the Red Bull at the chequered flag, Verstappen has admitted that his move at the start was decisive.
“Well, it wasn’t straightforward,” Verstappen said. “I mean, at the start, I think it was quite critical to get ahead of Lando, looking at it now.
“Of course, at the time, you just try to do what you think is best and how it works out.
“And then I think also it was very important, was getting ahead of George, you know, so that first thing that I could eke out a bit of a gap.
“And I think that went well, and I think we’re quite impressive on the strategy as a team with our pit stops.”
“So it wasn’t a very straightforward, easy race. I mean, Lando was catching quite hard at the end, but luckily it worked out, yeah, that it was just enough.”
Reviewing what materialised at the start, Verstappen added: “It was good. I think the first launch was quite okay. And then I got a little bit alongside, alongside.
“I had to go a little bit on the grass, but then I think George had a double slipstream and had a good run around the outside, which he managed really well.
“And I think we all, all three of us managed everything really well into Turn 1.”
Norris lamented dropping behind Verstappen on the opening tour as the McLaren driver claimed that he squandered a chance to win the race with the “quickest car”.
Questioned on Norris’ assessment that McLaren boasted the fastest package, Verstappen conceded that Red Bull must unlock more pace to match McLaren’s gains.
“Well, from my side, I can only of course speak about myself and I think we are, of course, yeah, struggling a little bit for that outright pace, it felt like,” he stated.
“Plus, I feel like, yeah, we didn’t have the best tyre life today compared to Lando. It just seemed like he could push a bit more in some corners.
“And of course, we were a bit offset at one point with the tyres as well, because he went a bit longer in the first stint.
“But, yeah, we still optimised everything. I mean, I can’t really say that we did something wrong in the race, but we just need to try and find more performance.”
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