Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
A third race victory of the year topped an excellent weekend in Miami for Max Verstappen, who keeps hold of the championship lead as F1 gets ready to return to Europe.
The win and fastest lap point sees Verstappen move 14 points clear of teammate Sergio Pérez in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Dutchman blitzed his opposition on the way to a 38th career victory, just one away from becoming Red Bull’s all time leader in wins.
He remained calm during the early laps of the race, as he motored through the field to make up the positions lost in Qualifying yesterday.
“It was a good race,” he said. “I stayed out of trouble at the beginning, had a clean race, picked off the cars one by one and I could stay out really long on the hard tyre.”
A long stint on the hard tyres allowed Max to push more when he eventually fitted the mediums. But, he wouldn’t need to get too aggressive, as he coasted past Sergio Perez with 7 laps to go into the first corner with DRS.
“I think that’s where we made the difference today and then a good little battle with Checo at the end.
“Yesterday was a bit of a setback, but today we kept it calm and clean, and winning a race from P9 is always very satisfying.” Verstappen said.
The reigning champion now has a two week break before F1 returns for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – with Sergio Perez under pressure to provide a response to his dominant teammate.
