Austrian Grand Prix – Sprint: Verstappen, Leclerc and Sainz’s reactions
If the start created the difference in the sprint race, the pace during the race was, however, very close between the three leaders. They believe that tire management will be crucial.
Max Verstappen: 1st
Satisfied with his performance, he mentions that the rhythms seem similar between Red Bull and Ferrari, and that the difference was made during the start.
« It was a good race. I was able to establish a gap and then we had a similar pace, so I was able to stay in front. Tomorrow the battle will be longer and tire management will be important. »
Charles Leclerc: 2nd.
The Monégasque clearly confirms that tire management will be crucial for tomorrow’s race. Not unhappy with his 2nd place of the day, he is aware that although his late-session pace brought him closer to Verstappen, the latter was in tire management mode.
« I had a good start and then things got a little heated with Max. I had to give way to Carlos and then regain it before starting to manage my tires for the end of the race. But it wasn’t enough to catch up to Max in the end.
»
Regarding the gap resulting from the battle amongst teammates, the Ferrari driver doesn’t think that it has changed much:
« The rhythm was very balanced between the three of us, but I think I was the one who managed the tires the most at the beginning and also the one who attacked the most at the end. We lost a bit of time in the battle with Carlos, but it probably wouldn’t have changed anything because Max was also managing his tires. »
Carlos Sainz: 3rd
Regarding his battle with Charles, he quickly resigned himself to this 3rd place and also began managing his tires.
« Yes, it was fun but I quickly had to adapt my pace in order to manage my tires. »
On the subject of possible team instructions for tomorrow, the Spanish player avoids the question.
I will see the evolution of the tires and I am certain that the team is working on them for tomorrow.
