Max Verstappen pulled off a stunning move on Valtteri Bottas to get his Red Bull into P2. The Finn tried extremely hard in keeping Max at bay. However, a loss of downforce due to the floor damage left Bottas partially out into the gravel before going into the main straight, which opened the doors for Max to attack.

Ever since Max and Bottas pitted, the latter kept locking up his tires and running deep, coming out of turn 18. Max too, kept piling up more and more pressure on Bottas and forced him to push the already damaged car. So, it was not just a single headache for the Finn. The pressure was coming from all directions.

How Verstappen got himself ahead of Bottas

On lap 43, Bottas made a marginally bigger mistake than he did on his previous laps. Max saw the door open and almost got his nose into the back of the Mercedes.

However, Bottas shut it off immediately and made Max wait a little longer than he would have intended to.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Hence, Max waited patiently and completed his move on the Mercedes driver before going into turn 2. Bottas seemingly never gave a fight to the Dutch as he let the move look more straightforward.

Eventually, following the overtake, Max took to his team radio to share the moment with his team in the garage. “Send it,” Max said.

Following the move by Max, Bottas pitted for a set of soft tires to try to grab the 1 crucial point from the fastest lap.

Damage on Valtteri Bottas’s car gave Max Verstappen the advantage

Bottas was struck with floor damage as early as lap 2 of the race, after his car came in contact with some debris. It is understood that the Mercedes’ pit wall later affirmed the news.

They also added that apart from the floor damage, parts of the debris seem to have gotten stuck on his car’s barge boards. This left Bottas searching for grip on this tricky circuit.

This will be the third consecutive time Bottas has failed to stand on the top step of the podium, despite starting the race from the front of the grid.

The race might also gift Max some hope of fighting Bottas for P2 on the drivers’ championship table. So, could this race be the beginning of a great fight between the two until the end of this season?