Verstappen saw tactics work perfectly in Zandvoort: 'All according to plan'

Max Verstappen was asked about his second-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. After a tricky Friday that didn’t go according to plan for both the Red Bull Racing driver and his team, Verstappen was questioned during his post-race press conference on Sunday about the improvements made over the weekend. Here’s what the reigning world champion had to say.

"Yeah. I mean, we take it. Qualifying was good. I hoped for a little bit more today, but quite quickly I realised the pace was not there. It always seems like in the race we just struggle more than over one lap with the tyre behaviour, with the car, and that was very obvious again today. So, I just tried to manage my pace, but that basically meant it was more of a fight with the cars behind me than whatever was happening in front of me," Verstappen said after his second place in Zandvoort.

Max Verstappen on the track in Zandvoort.

Although the Dutch driver finished in second place, it has to be stated that it didn't look much like a feat he could achieve for much of the race, at least not until Lando Norris' race went up in smoke with about seven laps to the conclusion of the race.

Verstappen's strategy worked perfectly

The Dutch driver was also asked about the strategy for the race and his choice for soft tyres twice during the Grand Prix. "Yeah, that for me felt the best after Friday. So that was planned. And of course, with the Safety Cars, everyone has to box again to take fresh tyres. But yeah, it was all according to plan," he concluded.