Horner on failed pit stop for Verstappen: 'Hadn't called him in yet'

Christian Horner doesn't think Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing could have done more to beat Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes today. A second place for Verstappen was probably the best that could have been achieved.

Surprised by Mercedes strategy

"Hats off to Lewis and Mercedes," Horner told the Sky Sports cameras. "They were faster than us today. The fact that they could follow so closely during the first two stints of the race. So, we're surprised they didn't go for the undercut."

In the end, Verstappen was the first to make a pit stop. "And then you're in that terrible position as the leader that you have to hold out until the end because at that point you gave up your position and then the only thing you can use to get revenge is the fastest lap."

Team not ready for Verstappen

Verstappen's pit stop lasted a whopping 4.2 seconds, it's not often that slow at Red Bull. "Unfortunately we were getting ready for the stop and Max just arrived in the pitlane and we hadn't called him in at that point. So the pitwall, his race engineer and the pit crew reacted quickly to turn the tide without losing any more time."

Mega overtaking

Things looked very different for Verstappen at the start of the race, when he managed to overtake Hamilton immediately. "The overtaking action in Turn 1 was mega. Max just went for it completely. That's Max Verstappen. He just went for it. He positioned the car very well."