Imperious Verstappen pays tribute to the team

After ending Mercedes’ domination in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen paid tribute to the team for a strong race to close out the season on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Dutchman was at his imperious best as he ushered in the second victory of a strange season and his 10th career win in 119 starts at the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s win not only brought up his first success at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after third and second-place finishes previously but it also ended Mercedes’ streak of six consecutive wins at the Yas Marina Circuit.

It was also Verstappen’s 11th podium finish of the year in 17 races this season and it also saw Mercedes’ record run of leading a lap in 39 successive races come to a halt.

“We had a good start and from thereon, of course you look after the tyres but the car was having really good balance and it was really enjoyable out there today (Sunday),” Verstappen said ahead of the podium ceremony.

“We did basically everything alright and I think once you start upfront, you can control the pace a bit more and it makes your life a bit easier,” he added.

As is the case, tyre management was paramount and with no support races ahead of the main event, it was a bit tricky. But Verstappen said that the Mercedes duo of Valtteri Bottas and seven-time champion Lewis Hamiton well behind on his rear-view mirror, he could take it a tad easy.

“(Tyre management was important) But then, also I saw that they (Bottas and Hamilton) were dropping off behind me so I could take it a bit easier. Of course, I had to go through a bit of traffic, the backmarkers, but overall, it was just a very strong race for the team,” said Verstappen.

Bottas, meanwhile, admitted that the Red Bull-Honda of Verstappen was too fast for the Mercedes,

“Red Bull was too quick today (Sunday), surprisingly quick. I was trying everything I could but couldn’t keep up with him,” said Bottas.