HTML tags DRIVERS
1 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2 – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
3 – Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Conducted by Giedo van der Garde)
Q: Pierre Gasly, finishing in P3. It must be incredibly satisfying for both you and the team to achieve your first podium together with Alpine.
Pierre GASLY: Let’s go! I’m absolutely thrilled. What a race! Coming back from the summer break hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been working hard to improve race after race. Taking some time off and coming back with this performance feels great. While the P3 in Spa Sprint wasn’t a conventional podium, I’m extremely happy for the team to secure this position.
Q: When you found out about Pérez’s penalty, did you push even harder in the last few laps?
PG: Yes, I was quite upset when I received my five-second penalty earlier in the race. So when I heard about Pérez’s penalty, I thought it was fair game. I pushed as hard as I could to stay within five seconds, and I managed to do it. It was a long and challenging race from start to finish, and the team executed it perfectly.
Q: Congratulations, Pierre! Fernando, finishing in P2. It seems like you thrive in tricky conditions, especially in wet races. What makes you excel in these situations?
Fernando ALONSO: Thank you. It was indeed an intense race, especially with the wet conditions at the beginning. We were very fast, and although we may have made a slight mistake in our timing for the pit stop, the same happened to the leaders. The car was incredible today – competitive and easy to drive. Trust in the car is crucial in these conditions, and I had that. The energy from the fans here in Zandvoort is unique, and it’s a special moment for me to share the podium with Max and Pierre.
Q: Did you find it challenging to maintain focus during the red flag period while the crowd was going wild?
FA: Yes, it’s difficult to concentrate and stay focused for such a long period, but this race track is something special. The energy from the fans keeps you focused. I’m happy for Max and everyone else. I considered making a move during the last restart, but I decided to stay calm in second place.
Q: Well done, Fernando! Max Verstappen, once again securing the victory at the Heineken Dutch Grand Prix. This must be an incredible feeling.
Max VERSTAPPEN: It’s indescribable. Even with the challenging weather, the fans never wavered in their support. The atmosphere here is amazing, and hearing the national anthem before the start already gave me goosebumps. I’m proud to win in front of my home crowd.
Q: You have now equaled Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine wins in a row. Are you aiming for the tenth one next week?
MV: I’ll think about that next week. For now, I want to enjoy this weekend. The pressure to perform is always there, so I’m extremely happy to come out on top here.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: Max, what a thrilling race. How satisfying was it for you to secure the win amidst all the action and tension?
MV: It’s fantastic. Just look at these sweets I received. They’re the highlight of my day. The race itself was intense, especially with the rain and the difficult decisions we had to make. We discussed whether to switch to intermediate tires or survive a few more laps on the slicks. Ultimately, we made the wrong call, but it made the race more enjoyable as I had to overtake cars and close the gap. The slick tires held up well, and it was a thrilling experience. The rain towards the end added another twist, but overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Q: It seemed like your car performed well in all conditions. Can you elaborate on that?
MV: Yes, the car was quick both on the intermediates and the soft tires. It gave me confidence in all conditions.
Q: What were the most stressful moments for you during the race? How concerned were you about Fernando’s challenge in the mini-Sprint?
MV: The first few laps on the slicks were quite stressful. You don’t want to lose control and go off the track. Additionally, the level of grip on the tires with the heavy rain made it challenging. As for the final restart, I knew that surviving the first lap was crucial, especially with Fernando pushing hard behind me. Once I got the temperature in my tires, everything balanced out.
Q: You’ve now matched Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine wins in a row, and your team remains unbeaten this season. What are your thoughts on these achievements?
MV: Winning nine races in a row was something I never even considered. It’s a remarkable feat, and I’m thrilled about it. The overall goal was to win in front of the home crowd, and I’m grateful for the support.
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