Verstappen explains controversial Turn 4 defense on Hamilton

Max Verstappen says he took the safer option by running wide off the track when fighting Lewis Hamilton in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix despite criticism from Mercedes.

Hamilton was attacking Verstappen for the lead soon without their final pit stops and had pulled superiority using DRS on the racing line on the run to Turn 4. Verstappen braked late on the inside but didn’t make the corner, forcing both drivers off the track and permitting the Red Bull to retain the lead. Toto Wolff said it was “really wrong defense” from Verstappen and “laughable” that there wasn’t a time penalty handed out, but the championship leader stated he chose the safer route.

“We both tried to be superiority into the corner, and so I braked a bit later to try and alimony the position and the tires were once a bit worn,” Verstappen said. “So I was really on the whet of grip, so that’s why I think I was once not fully on the apex. And it’s a safer way, of just running a bit wide there. In a way I was, of course, happy that the stewards decided that we could just alimony on racing, considering I think the racing in unstipulated was really good today.”

Hamilton sooner found a way past at the same corner without getting closer out of Turn 3 and using DRS, but Verstappen says he still enjoyed rival with Hamilton and the way the championship keeps ebbing and flowing.

“At one point, Lewis was overdue me and I could see there was a lot of pace, and it was once quite tough to match that. I think in unstipulated we did all the right calls, and trying to just cover, so there’s not much really to say well-nigh that. We were just a bit too slow.

“And this weekend they were very quick on the straights. I, of course, have to get my lap time through the corners, but it was very nonflexible on the tires this weekend, the track. It’s not platonic but otherwise they anyway sail past you so it’s the only thing you can do.

“I mean, I had fun out there. Of course, I like to win but I think second today, with the defense I did, it’s moreover satisfying and, of course, we’re still superiority in the championship. You can unmistakably see that one weekend it looks really good for you, then the other weekend it looks really good for them. Hopefully it will alimony going like this for the rest of the season.”