Max Verstappen blamed tire degradation, but admitted that it was not an easy day for Red Bull in Austria. Still, he saw second position as a good result
Max Verstappen had a full 'house' to help him take his seventh win of the season. But Charles Leclerc's Ferrari was superior at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday (10). Even though the Monegasque had problems at the end of the race, the #1 did not have enough laps to attack him and, therefore, finished in second position.
After the race, the reigning champion explained that tire management was a hindrance - just as Red Bull had already predicted last Saturday.
"It was a tricky day, we were struggling a bit with the tires and that continued on all compounds," he said. "I had too much degradation to really attack Charles, but second place is a good result on a tough day," he added.
More than 300,000 people were present in the stands at the Red Bull Ring. The 'orange sea' tried every which way to push Verstappen. He regretted not being awarded the victory, but was grateful for the support.
"It's great to see so many [Dutch] fans coming here to Austria. Unfortunately I couldn't give them a win today, but second place is still great," he closed.