Verstappen: “It will be like this until the end of the season”

The Dutchman won the French Grand Prix after a daring strategy which saw him get the better of Lewis Hamilton.

Published on 20/06/2021 à 17:45

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Verstappen: “It will be like this until the end of the season”

At Castellet, Max Verstappen got the better of Lewis Hamilton. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Uncompromising throughout the weekend, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) struck a big blow by winning the French Grand Prix this Sunday.

Surprised at the first braking after the start, handing over control to Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), the Dutchman did not give up and took them again after the first salvo of the pit stops.

« It was difficult at the beginning, he admitted after arrival. There was a lot of wind. From one lap to the next, the balance of the car changed. It wasn't easy to keep her stable ».

Installed in the lead, Max Verstappen then made the daring bet of a second pit stop. Taken by surprise, Lewis Hamilton could no longer do anything and was forced to stay on the track as the Dutchman came back at him like a cannonball.

With a fresher set of tyres, the Red Bull driver closed his gap with the seven-time world champion before beating him two laps from the checkered flag.

@Max33Verstappen offers himself a magnificent victory at @GPFranceF1 with a supersonic finish #FrenchGP

https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/luDtXHQiZZ

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) June 20, 2021

« After the first stop, they (Mercedes drivers) were putting pressure behind when we were on the hard tires, continues the winner of the day. Luckily, the two-stop strategy ended up paying off. We had to work a lot to get there but we are rewarded at the end.

The end was difficult since there were a lot of latecomers to overtake but ultimately they all played the game which allowed me to fight until the end ».

More than ever leader in the championship, Max Verstappen promises such battles “ until the end of the season ". It promises.

A sweet, sweet victory for Max and Red Bull #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ezJ1FlcNbo

- Formula 1 (@ F1) June 20, 2021

With 131 points on his clock, Max Verstappen relegates Lewis Hamilton to 12 lengths. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) consolidates his 3rd position with 84 units.

Find the analysis of the French Grand Prix by our experts in AUTOhebdo No. 2317, available from Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.