Max Verstappen joked to F1 race engineer Giampiero Lambiase {that a} yellow flag meant he might push “full throttle” throughout the Austrian Grand Prix.
4-time world champion Verstappen’s quip over his staff radio was a reference to Mercedes rival George Russell’s pole place lap in Saturday’s dramatic qualifying.
Russell controversially snatched pole with a last-gasp enchancment in an exciting Q3 conclusion to the Austrian Grand Prix regardless of Verstappen’s fiery crash bringing out the yellow flag.
Pink Bull upgrades assist Verstappen safe second place
At first a single yellow was proven, then upgraded to a double yellow, however by that time Russell had already handed.
Mercedes and Russell have been capable of show by way of knowledge tracing that the Briton lifted 100 meters earlier when approaching the scene of Verstappen’s Flip 9 incident.
However Verstappen could not assist however shed some mild on the scenario throughout Sunday’s Grand Prix in a non-televised radio change.
Carlos Sainz’s Williams broke down on the start-finish straight, triggering a yellow flag and successfully bringing out the protection automobile.
Lambiase instantly warned Verstappen concerning the incident, telling the driving force: “Yellow (in flip 10), double yellow throughout the beginning/end line. Yellow right here, then double yellow.”
Verstappen wittily replied: “You imply full velocity, proper? You imply you overtook the automobile?” earlier than shortly clarifying: “I am simply kidding.”
Verstappen charged from fifth on the grid to take second place in Sunday’s race, securing Pink Bull’s greatest results of the season.
Verstappen celebrates Pink Bull’s greatest results of 2026 on the rostrum
The Dutchman was 11 seconds behind after his ultimate pit cease and had some success in catching up with Russell, however finally fell wanting victory, falling 1.6 seconds wanting the checkered flag.
Requested whether or not Pink Bull ought to have pitted first to undercut Russell, Verstappen instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “In hindsight it is easy to say that, however we’ll look again on it.
“It’ll be a protracted stint that wears out the tires, however on the identical time my degradation was slightly bit higher than George’s, so I am fairly assured that I used to be capable of hold him behind me.
“It is nonetheless an excellent consequence although we had some fairly powerful occasions. Currently we have been getting higher and for the primary time we will battle for wins. This can be a good step.”
