Max Verstappen

Verstappen claims he 'FORCED' Sainz into key Italian GP mistake

Joe Ellis Sunday 3 September 2023 18:57

Verstappen claims he 'FORCED' Sainz into key Italian GP mistake

Max Verstappen admitted that he forced Carlos Sainz to make his race-losing mistake during the Italian GP.

The Ferrari driver and pole-sitter had led the opening 13 laps of the race, a new record for non-Red Bull drivers in 2023, before Verstappen pounced.

Persistent pressure from behind saw Sainz lock up at the first chicane and hinder his exit towards Curva Grande.

The Dutchman seized his chance and went through to claim his 10th win in a row, a new all-time F1 record.

Verstappen: Verstappen: I had to pick my moment

The defining moment of the race crushed the hearts of the Tifosi, dreaming of a home win for Ferrari

“I would never believed that was possible," Verstappen said after the race. "We had to work for it today and that made it definitely a lot more fun.

"We had good pace, I think we were good on the tyres but they had a lot of top speed. It was so hard to get close and get a move on into turn one.

"I had to force him into a mistake and luckily it came at some point where he locked up and then I had better traction out of turn two. From there on, we could do our own race.

“I was just trying to stay patient. It was still a very long race, I could see they were struggling a lot with the rear tyres, so I just had to pick my moment.

"Everything felt good, we had to nurse a little issue at the end. But we had luckily of course the gap behind, so I could easily back out."

Latest News

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Red Bull BOMBSHELL emerges as F1 star set to sign with RIVAL

3 minutes ago

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for F1 COMEBACK as Ferrari tease huge unveiling - GPFans Recap

Yesterday 23:57

Latest F1 News

Emotional Ferrari test paves way for Hamilton arrival

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Ricciardo prompts FURY after controversial announcement

Yesterday 21:57

Lewis Hamilton

Shock Hamilton contract revelation emerges as champion tipped to sign with RIVAL

Yesterday 20:57

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo F1 RETURN verdict issued as team chief offers comeback twist

Yesterday 19:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY