Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez described Red Bull’s Spanish Grand Prix one-two finish as a “great team result” after swapping positions late in the race.
A mistake by Verstappen at turn four early in the race had dropped him behind Perez, who was asked to allow his team mate by and complied. Later in the race, Perez held the lead of after both Red Bull drivers had completed their final scheduled pit stops. Verstappen caught Perez, who was again asked by Red Bull to allow his team mate through into the lead, which he eventually did.
Verstappen went on to win the race, with Perez securing a one-two for Red Bull in second place. Perez said he was “happy” with the result despite having to let his team mate through into the lead.
“I think it was close, but at the end it’s a great team result and I’m happy for that,” said Perez.
Perez had requested that Verstappen return his earlier favour by letting him through to attack George Russell while Verstappen’s DRS problems left him struggling to pass the Mercedes. However, the team did not grant his request, instead pitting Verstappen which allowed Perez to attack and pass Russell.
“We were on different tyre strategies at the time,” Perez said. “I let Max by in the beginning and then I thought at the time I could go by and not lose crucial seconds to make my strategy work. But anyway, it’s a great team result.”
Verstappen explained his early-race error had been prompted by a gust of wind while he approached the fast right-hander of turn four. “I suddenly had a lot of tailwind, so I just lost the rear and went off,” he said.
“Of course I was in the train then and I tried to pass [Russell] but my DRS was not always working, so that made it very tough. But we managed to do a strategy to get ahead again and do our own race and eventually win the race. A difficult beginning, but a good end.”
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