Verstappen happy and relieved to find the podium after his retirements

A sigh of relief. This is what must have pushed Max Verstappen after crossing the finish line in second position, and for good reason. The pilot Red Bull had not seen the end of his last two races due to various mechanical breakdowns.

To get to this second place, Max Verstappen had to put himself on the defensive, especially at the start of this Russian GP so feared by the drivers.

« At the start, I had very little grip which cost us a little dearly when it came time to set off. But in the end the first three turns were very interesting. I went wide at turn 2, fortunately I was able to come back without any problem ».

Third after the first lap, the Dutchman took advantage of the penalty Lewis Hamilton and the rise in power of its RB16 to consolidate its place on the podium.

« After the restart, we were a little slower with the medium set. We had some problems with balance but once the race started we were performing better so I'm quite happy. We can be proud to have been able to insert ourselves between the Mercedes ».

Mercedes with which the Red Bull driver never considered fighting. On the contrary, he focused on his race without taking into account the performances of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.

« I didn't think about attacking Bottas. I was just doing my run. Obviously, the Mercedes were much faster. We managed the GP very well and I did everything I could ».

Absent at the finish of the Italian and Tuscan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen did not hide his joy in the parc ferme. “ I am very happy with this second place especially after my last two retirements ". Deliverance.