Max Verstappen credits ‘aggressive’ Red Bull strategy for defeating Lando Norris at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen won the Spanish GP by a margin of over two seconds on Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen credits ‘aggressive’ Red Bull strategy for defeating Lando Norris at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

The Spanish GP weekend was an all-out rollercoaster ride! Ferraris were expected to be the ones to take the challenge up to Red Bull. However, McLaren became a wildcard entry for the top spots as Lando Norris claimed the pole in a tough qualifying around the 4.6-kilometer track. This made the young Brit ambitious to win his second race in F1 but was edged out by Max Verstappen in the end, who deemed the strategy to be crucial in helping him win the race.

Lando Norris bagged pole with an astonishing lap, making him the main candidate for a win on Sunday. However, a slow start of the line meant that the Englishman was left behind the reigning champion. The Dutchman made quick work of the Mercedes of George Russell ahead and seemed certain to win the race. However, Norris decided to gamble on a strategy offset which raised tensions in the Red Bull camp.

YouTube video

Subsequently, after the end of the 66-lap race, Max Verstappen explained how an aggressive strategy helped him secure his 61st career win.

FS Video
What made the race was the beginning when I took the lead on lap 2 and eeking out the gap a little bit. As [Norris]Lando and McLaren were very, very fast today. We drove an aggressive strategy but it played out at the end.
Max Verstappen said in the post-race interview

The 26-year-old explained how he managed the race in the early phases as Norris lurked in the background. He utilized the Englishman’s mistake but was weary of a threat in the later stages. This indeed happened as he only finished a mere 2.2 seconds ahead of the McLaren driver and admitted that his win was only possible due to the bold strategy of Red Bull.

Lando Norris sets his sights on Austria after losing out in Spain

Losing the race victory in Spain had left the young Brit dejected. However, this did not stop him from being optimistic as the race weekend in Spain was the start of a triple-header, and he aimed his sights at conquering the following races.

McLaren's Lando Norris
Lando Norris (via IMAGO)

The 24-year-old admitted his fault at the start and focused on ironing out his mistakes in Austria.

I need to look back at review [at the start], I don't know what I did wrong. Fair play to Red Bull and Max, but a shame we lost it at the same time, very frustrating. Austria and Silverstone are two of my favourite tracks, I just need to tidy up a few bits.
Lando Norris said in the post-race interview

Norris appreciated his rivals for their valiant efforts. On the other hand, he pointed out the fact that Austria and Silverstone are one of his all-time favorite tracks, which might help him in the upcoming rounds, and help him claim his second win that he has been eluding since winning in Miami.

Despite his high ambitions, Red Bull seemed to have found their groove. Thus, claiming a victory in this tight field might not be as easy as it seems so Norris would have to pull out a flawless race to challenge the Austrian squad for the top spot.

In case you missed it: