Verstappen pleased with third spot: 'It was a good workout'

Max Verstappen was pleased with finishing ahead of the Mercedes duo and claim a podium position in Singapore, adding that the battle with Lewis Hamilton in the final few laps was 'a good workout'.

It was a rather low-key race for the Dutchman, who remained on the periphery of the action and never really threatened to finish in any other position than third from reasonably early in the race.

The three safety cars within the final 25 laps completely disrupted the race as a tactical contest, but in the end Verstappen was happy with his final placing.

He told David Coulthard post-race: "I think the whole race went well. In the beginning it was going really slow, everybody was very close together.

"I started to struggle with my tyres, and we boxed [pitted], which was a really good call because we undercut Lewis in the end. After that it was about managing the tyres home. In general I'm happy to be on the podium.

"It's always difficult to overtake here, so to do it by strategy is always positive. [It is] A good amount of points, and a lot of things to analyse and work on, but happy to be in the top three."

Verstappen added that the introduction of multiple safety cars was tougher ont he drivers than driving normally because of the need to keep the tyres in check.

He said "You are actually working harder than when you are going flat out and it's always gonna be a tough race.

"With Lewis pushing on it keeps you going on to the end. It's a good workout."

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