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Verstappen thrilled with Brazilian Grand Prix triumph after Hamilton battle

Max Verstappen drove a classy race to see off his rivals at the Brazilian Grand Prix, edging a tactical battle with world champion Lewis Hamilton.

By John Skilbeck
Max Verstappen

Sao Paulo, November 18: Max Verstappen said it felt "unbelievable" to win a thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday (November 17).

The 22-year-old Dutch driver produced a terrific tactical race to take the victory for Red Bull, his third success of the 2019 season.

He fought a long battle for supremacy with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and prevailed as the world champion wilted.

Verstappen takes victory in stunning Brazilian Grand PrixVerstappen takes victory in stunning Brazilian Grand Prix

"Lewis was very quick so I had to keep pushing," Verstappen said.

"All the time with the strategy, he pitted one lap earlier so we had to be really on top of our pit stops.

"But two times we had a good move with him that brought us back into first [place] and from there onwards I could control the race with the tyres I had."

After finishing second - behind Hamilton - at Interlagos last year, this was a sweet result for Verstappen.

"Unbelievable. It was a lot of fun out there and of course it was great to win the race," he said.

He was especially pleased with a key move after a pit stop that helped him get the better of the world champion, who sank to seventh after a frantic finish. Hamilton was involved in a crash with Alex Albon late on and was handed a time penalty after the conclusion of the race.

Hamilton sends 'massive' apology to Albon after Interlagos shuntHamilton sends 'massive' apology to Albon after Interlagos shunt

"I was behind so I was pushing flat out on my out-lap to try to be close to him and it was my only shot," Verstappen said.

"Because of that I was close, into the DRS. We knew we had great top speed the whole weekend already, so that of course is a guess so I was very happy to get past."

Story first published: Monday, November 18, 2019, 9:57 [IST]
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