Red Bull’s Max Verstappen revelled in an “unexpected” victory at Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix as he triumphed for the first time in 2018.
Verstappen lined up from fourth on the grid but moved into third on a frantic opening lap as he overhauled Kimi Raikkonen through Turn 6.
Valtteri Bottas’ exit promoted Verstappen to second and he opted to pit under the Virtual Safety Car period caused by the Finn’s stoppage, while leader Lewis Hamilton stayed out.
Verstappen inherited the lead when Hamilton made his stop and thereafter preserved his set of Soft tyres through to the chequered flag to claim victory on Red Bull’s home turf.
“I think it was a bit unexpected, especially after our Friday pace and in the long runs,” said Verstappen, who struggled during practice.
“I think in the first stint we could actually keep up quite well – and then yeah, I just tried to do my own race.
“I saw Valtteri disappearing with a problem, and then I think we made the right call when the VSC came out, that we pitted.
“The team, again, great call on that, and then yeah, virtually I was in the lead, and I just tried to do my own pace. Initially from behind there was no pressure.”
On the closing stages of the race, in which Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were gaining, he said: “Kimi was catching, Sebastian was catching.
“I was not sure maybe they had another half a second in them at the end of the race, so it was just difficult to say.
“I think with three or four laps to go I was more comfortable and it was not going to happen but still, maybe from one to the other lap my blister opens up even more and then you’re really in trouble.
“My fourth victory, I think it’s a good one, very unexpected one so I think they are always good.”
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