Max Verstappen has urged Red Bull to find solutions to the issues which hampered their Austrian Grand Prix chances. The reigning World Champion was unable to convert pole position into a victory at the Red Bull Ring, finishing second to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Despite keeping the lead at the start of the race, it became clear that the pace advantage was with his championship rival. Leclerc passed the Dutchman at Turn 4 on Lap 12 of 71 and, owing to the difference in pit strategy, had to pass Verstappen a further two times to ensure the win.
Verstappen: We have to understand our problems
Verstappen commented that he soon became aware of the Ferrari's speed in the opening laps of the race, and has urged Red Bull to find out why. "I think second place is ok, because the whole race we were too slow," Verstappen told ServusTV . "Ferrari was simply faster. Normally we are good with the tyres, but here we had problems. "After two laps, we were slower than expected and Ferrari was faster than expected. The last eight laps in the Sprint they were also fast. "I thought after the Sprint that we could still improve on the car, but that didn't work out. "At the end [of the race], Charles even had a problem with his accelerator, but then we were only two- or three-tenths faster per lap. "We have to understand those problems and we will analyse everything."
Verstappen chose not to put up a fight against Leclerc
On the three occasions where Leclerc passed for the lead, Verstappen was seemingly unable to provide much of a fight. The Red Bull driver added that he eventually chose not to fight his Ferrari rival, owing to their pace advantage. "Of course, I had already realised that we were too slow," added Verstappen. "I tried to do something, but after a few laps you see that you have no chance. Then, of course, you let Charles pass without taking much risk." Ferrari look destined to take a 1-2 finish, but Carlos Sainz's late exit from the race ensured Verstappen's defeat would have the minimum effect. "Until the lap he [Sainz] dropped out I thought third place was the maximum, because both Ferraris were faster," Verstappen said. "As a team, we were lucky to finish second. For us as a team, of course, it was good."
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