Another Sunday in 2023, another Max Verstappen victory. For a tenth consecutive Grand Prix, the Dutchman crossed the line to win. It’s another record the 25-year-old now solely owns.
While he did see the flag as the race winner, it was completely smooth for Verstappen and the team as concerns arose in the closing laps. A 12-second lead over teammate Sergio Pérez with a few laps to go ended up at just over 7 by the final lap.
Below you can read the full team radio transcript involving Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen in the closing stages as they had to manage their way to the end.
Lambiase: If you could increase the lift at coast a little bit more into 1 and 4 Max, I’d appreciate it if you can.
Verstappen: Ah, but my front tyres are faling asleep.
Lambiase: Yeah, understood, Max. The gap behind is 11 seconds. Shouldn’t be an issue.
Lambiase: Eight laps. Gap 11.3.
Lambiase: This lift and coast is very good, Max.
Lambiase: Okay, so the gap behind 12 seconds. Five and a half laps remaining. It’s now Checo in P2.
Lambiase: Just continue this level of lift and coast.
As I say, there’ll be five laps remaining across the line.
Lambiase: Max, could you increase the gap to Gasly, please? Increase gap to Gasly. It’s quite an urgent request.
Lambiase: And Strat 3. Strat 3. Increase gap to Gasly. Gap to Checo is 12 seconds. Four laps remaining.
Lambiase: Yeah, if you increase that gap a little bit more, Max. Thank you.
Lambiase: Obviously. just take care on the brakes now at this stage with the tyres. Expect they’re about the window.
Lambiase: Gasly pace 26.2. Continue to increase gap.
Lambiase: OK, engine 11. Engine 1-1. Position 2. Position 2. Three laps remaining.
Lambiase: You can increase the gap to Gasly more if you need to.
Lambiase: Gap still 11.5.
Lambiase: Mode 7, Max. Mode 7. Increase gap to Gasly.
Lambiase: Two laps remaining, Max.
Lambiase: Keep that gap there to the cars ahead, Max.
Lambiase: OK, this is your final lap, Max. Final lap.
Lambiase: OK Max, you’ve done it. A little bit of history to go with. it Fail 84. Fail 84.
In his post-race media session, Christian Horner discussed why Verstappen had to ease things off in the final ten laps. The Brit confirmed they had some worries about temperatures, but he did not go into detail on exactly what the issues were.
“We were just managing some temperature issues. We didn’t want to take any risks. It’s a stinking hot day.
“We had a couple of temperatures that were… they were under control, but there was a bunch of cars ahead of Gasly and we just didn’t want to run in dirty air, so that’s why we took it a little bit easy in the last few laps.”
While Ferrari took pole position with Sainz, Red Bull once again proved to be the team with the best race pace.
It quickly became clear Sainz would need to be on the defensive as Verstappen could comfortably stay within DRS and saw the 29-year-old sliding his tyres.
In spite of Sainz’s best efforts, a lock-up defending into turn 1 on lap 15 opened the door. Verstappen got a much better run out of the first chicane and claimed the inside into the second one.
Sergio Pérez also had an excellent day. He overtook Russell, Leclerc and Sainz on circuit to claim an excellent P2.
Horner confirmed they tuned the RB19 for the race to have better tyre degradation and pace on the day where points come.
“We knew we had a quick car. Ferrari were very very fast on the straights today.
“Max could see they were a little bit harder on the rear tyre, and that was part of the strategy in terms of the set-up we adopted, knowing the temperatures were going to be a little bit higher today.
“Carlos defended very hard and robustly, which you would in a Ferrari around Monza. Finally Max was able to get that pass done.
“And Checo as well. First of all passing George, then Charles and then Carlos.
“To get that 1-2 finish and for Max to own the most consecutive [record of] wins at 10 victories is quite outstanding.”
After the race, Helmut Marko stated that Verstappen felt “nervous” this weekend as he looked to take the sole record of most consecutive wins. He equalled Vettel’s nine on the spin at his home race last weekend, and on Sunday he would end up claiming the record all for himself.
Horner believes there was an extra focus instead of nerves.
“I wouldn’t say nervous. But you could definitely feel his focus was razor-sharp — more than usual. You could see it definitely meant something to him.”
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
