Max Verstappen took a dig at the plight of Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari after achieving third on the grid for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutchman made the most of the Italian team making the wrong decision to put intermediate tyres on for the start of Q3 with Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen then making mistakes on their single flying lap using slicks.
“I think, realistically, we would be close to Ferrari, but it would be hard to beat them but we made the right call in Q3,” the Red Bull driver said after securing a second top three start in three races.
“I didn’t expect to start third but of course we have a bigger chance now to be on the podium.”
With the prospect of Vettel fighting through from ninth on the grid, Channel 4 pundit and former driver David Coulthard asked whether Verstappen would think of any championship permutations should he come across the German.
“Is it still a battle? I’m not sure?” he replied, pointing to the 50-point gap that Lewis Hamilton currently possesses.
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His final comment though went to the Suzuka crowd who have once again brought their unique passion for F1 to the fore this weekend.
“Of course, very happy to be third, but it is a shame that we couldn’t give the fans a really cool Q3 but it is great to see them over here, they are so passionate about F1,” he said.
“Even when it is raining they stay, even when it is dark and the mechanics are working on the car, they also stay in the grandstand. It is crazy to see but in one way it is all amazing.”
