Verstappen praises Hannah Schmitz, his strategist
Starting from the fifth row, in the tenth position, Max Verstappen made a magnificent comeback to win in Hungary and solidify his lead in the drivers' standings. This feat was made possible thanks to the strategy, and he doesn't hide it!
While an engine issue spoiled Verstappen’s qualifying session, he had to start from the tenth position on the grid, far, very far behind the Ferrari’s of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in second and third place.
Strategy once again played a central role in the outcome of the race, whether it be on the side of the Italian team or on Red Bull’s side. While both Alpines had already switched to hard tires, Ferrari decided to do the same on the Monegasque’s car. And this, even though this strategy seemed not to work. This decision further diminishes Charles Leclerc’s already slim chances of winning the drivers’ championship, as he finished in sixth place in the Grand Prix.
On the other hand, Max Verstappen benefited from a perfectly executed strategy to achieve a result that was unexpected after the debacle in qualifying.
“You cannot afford to make mistakes at this level. Of course, it’s always difficult to succeed and be on the right side. But I think we have a lot of good guys and girls in the team. I think Hannah, our strategist, was incredibly calm. She’s doing a really great job,” said Verstappen.
Despite a car that seemed less fast this weekend, and a small mistake by the Dutch driver, the world champion states that the strategy inevitably made the difference.
« We had to choose the right tires at the right moment. We knew our car was fast, but I think on this race, Ferrari was also very fast, they just made the wrong decision with the tires.
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One thing is for sure, Max Verstappen has surely just crushed Charles Leclerc’s last chances of winning the World Driver’s Championship title, and on this weekend, he can thank his strategist… But also those from the Maranello firm.
