03 July 2023 , 08:59
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Max Verstappen has no regrets after taking an extra point from team-mate Sergio Perez with the fastest lap at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Championship leader Verstappen was cruising to victory with two laps remaining, and opted for a tyre change to set him up for a chance at the fastest lap bonus. It paid off, with the Dutchman getting round in 1:07.012.
Verstappen admitted it was an unplanned change, and he needed to convince the Red Bull team. He was able to hold off Charles Leclerc and win the race, though, with fellow Red Bull driver Perez down in third.
Leclerc's finish was his best of the season, and just his second podium in 2023. Perez, meanwhile, secured a first podium since Malaysia after three underwhelming finishes in the interim.
"I think today, and the whole weekend, it's been incredible," Verstappen told Sky Sports. "The car was great, the team operated really well with everything, strategy, pit stops, and also in the race I felt really well with the car. It was good on the tyres and just very comfortable to drive, to be honest.
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"No [doubt about being caught] but I had the gap. I want to have that extra point - why not?! If you have the opportunity you should go for it.
"I think Silverstone is probably one of our better tracks, because of all the high-speed corners, but let's see. I love driving there, it's an amazing track, and I'm looking forward to the whole weekend there - it's always a great atmosphere, fans there who love racing, and that will be great to experience again.
Max Verstappen took an extra point from team-mate Sergio Perez at the Austrian GP (XPB Images/PA Images)Can anyone catch Max Verstappen this season? Have your say in the comments section
Runner-up Leclerc was honest in his assessment of the race after being chased down by Verstappen. The Ferrari driver briefly led the race, spending nine laps at the front, but had no answer to his rival.
"I knew it was a matter of time," Leclerc said. "Max had much fresher tyres. They are also quicker whenever we have the same tyres so it's not like I tried to push like crazy.
"I knew it was crucial to lose as little time as possible in this battle. And this is why I haven't been as aggressive as I have been other times when we have been fighting for real positions.
"This one was a bit different. If he hadn't overtaken me, it was the lap after and I would have lost more time and it would not have benefited me in the race."
Verstappen's victory in Austria left him some 81 points clear of closest challenger Perez in the overall standings. However, the Mexican's podium finish allowed him to reopen a gap to Fernando Alonso, who ended the race itself down in fifth.