Max Verstappen declared he “always feels unbeatable” after flying to victory at the Miami Grand Prix.
Starting ninth after a tricky qualifying, the reigning champion produced a mighty 45-lap first stint that saw him carve his way through the field early on before managing the tyres until his eventual pit-stop.
With the hard work done, Verstappen then used his fresh rubber to catch and pass teammate Sergio Perez to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of 38 wins for Red Bull.
“It was better than expected, I guess,” the Dutchman said of his first stint.
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“It was just really trying to understand a bit how they [the tyres] would last at the beginning. In the middle of that stint, I was not sure, that’s why probably I was a bit slower than I could have been.
“That’s why I could extend my gap again and that, of course, made my race because once I made the pit stop, I was only one and a half seconds behind and then, with a fresher compound, you can pass.”
Verstappen’s tyre management skills are often overlooked, particularly given the reputation Perez has for optimising each compound.
And Max is puzzled by the perception that he can’t look after his rubber as well as the Mexican.
“I mean, people say that but I never really understood why,” he said.
“I think I’ve always been very good on tyres, but it’s very small margins, you know? But I think this has already been effective the last few years where you look after your tyres well and, in some races, that works out a bit better than others.”
After Perez’s success in Baku, Sunday’s victory reasserted Verstappen’s place as the clear favourite for a third championship in 2023.
“I always feel unbeatable but, sometimes, other people also have a really good day and they can be close to you or match you and be ahead,” the 25-year-old said.
“But I think what is important is you try and be close to 100% perfect every single time. Yesterday wasn’t perfect so, overall, this weekend wasn’t perfect.
“But it’s a long season, and I try to always be as close as possible to perfection.”
Verstappen also brushed off some fans booing him during the pre-race presentation and on the podium.
“If I were driving in the back nobody would be doing anything in terms of reaction,” he said.
“I think it is normal when you are winning and they don’t like who is winning.
“It is something for me which is absolutely fine as long as I am standing on the top.
“To me, the most important thing is I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can… have a nice evening.”
Verstappen now holds a 14-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship over Perez ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in two weeks time.
