“Mercedes looks unbeatable”: Verstappen defeated after Sprint race

The scene was rare enough this season not to be highlighted. For one of the only times in the 2022 championship, Max Verstappen seemed out of contention to play for victory on Saturday, during the Sprint race. A sudden misfortune which is mainly explained by the failed strategic choice of Red Bull with medium tires. The rest of the peloton, on soft tires, was much more comfortable than the Dutchman. “It was a lot harder than we expected in some ways, said Verstappen after the Sprint. I didn't expect to have this deterioration. Even with the soft ones, we wouldn't have been so fast. We are clearly struggling to keep the tires alive. »

Left on the front line alongside Kevin Magnussen, Max Verstappen quickly came under pressure from George Russell behind him. Despite a good defense, the double world champion had to give in to the young Briton after an intense battle lasting 3 rounds. If the Dutchman was quite disappointed with the deterioration of his tires, he also recognizes that the Mercedes will be the cars to beat for the São Paulo Grand Prix. “We have to try to correct it for tomorrow. Although, of course, there are not many things we can do, but it can't be worse than that… At the moment Mercedes seems unbeatable, but we will analyze everything. »

Verstappen, alone against the Mercedes

In distress in the last laps of the race, the Batavian then gave in to Carlos Sainz for 3rd place. The Red Bull was even damaged in the Spaniard's maneuver, Verstappen having been a little too hasty while trying to uncross Senna's S. With a piece of the front wing missing, the world champion lost further performance, although he is confident it did not affect his final result. “It broke my side panel, but luckily the wing didn't fall off. I would have finished fourth anyway with a full front wing. »

Finished 4th behind Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen will start 3rd following Carlos Sainz's engine penalty. The Dutchman will have to fight alone against two Mercedes, determined to win their first victory of the season in Brazil…

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