Max Verstappen reflects on another solid performance in Japan
Max Verstappen continued his remarkable 2016 season by logging another second place in Sunday’s F1 race in Japan - but only after a controversial defensive move stopped Lewis Hamilton from relieving him of the place.
Verstappen moved to the right when Hamilton attempted to pass into the chicane, and the Mercedes driver was forced to go straight on.
“I think the car was feeling quite good,” said Verstappen. “I was trying to follow Nico a bit, and I think in general we did a great strategy, so the car was working well and, of course, Lewis was closing up a lot. At the end of the race he was pushing really hard, and I knew he’s fighting for the World Championship, so you’re not going to do crazy things, of course.
“But I think in the end it was all good. I managed to keep my tires alive and to come home in second. That’s of course a great result for myself and I think also one of my best races so far but also for the team I think. For the Constructors’ it’s a very good result.”
Pressed on his defensive move he said: “Of course you see him coming in the mirrors so... Already the laps before he was closing quite a bit but I saw already out of T14 that he had a good exit so yeah, I was using a bit of energy and I defended into the last chicane. All good.”
