Russian Grand Prix

Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen

Paul Macdonald Sunday 27 September 2020 16:30 Updated: 17:17

Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen conceded Red Bull "have to be happy" to have split the Mercedes drivers after finishing second place in the Russian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman finished behind winner Valtteri Bottas and was well clear of Lewis Hamilton in third, the world champion having suffered a 10-second penalty as a result of two practice start violations.

Verstappen had failed to finish either of the previous two grands prix, in the Italian and Tuscan races, and speaking to Johnny Herbert in his podium interview he expressed satisfaction to have finished so well.

He said: "[I had] very low grip on the inside, that cost us a bit.

"After the restart, we were a little bit slower on the medium, I was having a little bit of problem with the balance, but once we went onto that hard tyre we were a little bit more competitive.

"To be able to split the Mercedes cars again, we have to be happy with that. I just tried to do my own race. I'm very happy with second, especially after two DNFs."

Verstappen's finish moved him onto 128 points for the season and solidifies his position in third spot in the driver's championship.

Latest News

Latest F1 News

Ricciardo F1 move framed in surprise career claim

8 minutes ago

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton signing prompts ASTONISHING Ferrari chief rant

1 hour ago

F1 News & Gossip

Verstappen unveils F1 BREAK plans

2 hours ago

Red Bull News

Red Bull awarded surprise victory in official F1 verdict

3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton crowned CHAMPION in stunning end to 2024

Today 17:57

Features

2025 F1 grid re-shuffles as star AXED after official announcement

Today 16:57

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

Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen

Red Bull "have to be happy" with splitting Mercedes - Verstappen