Verstappen: "Getting podium here even more special"

Max Verstappen finally had a good performance in front of his sort-of-home crowd at Spa Francorchamps, and the Dutchman admitted it felt more special to him to get to climb the podium in Belgium than anywhere else.

Verstappen, who started in P7, had a relatively straight-forward race. With Kimi Raikkonen immediately getting a puncture in front of him, the Dutchman only needed to pass the midfield cars of Romain Grosjean, Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez respectively to get into the top three. He did this, and under a massive roar from the fans, he stepped onto the lowest step of the podium, behind Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. 

"It was a bit of chaos in Turn One, but luckily I was on the inside so no crazy things happening there," Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.

"In lap one I passed Grosjean up the hill, so that was good for the race, then I knew I had to be patient with the Force Indias because we had the pace to go by. 

"But still they were bloody quick on the straight because I thought when I opened the DRS 'now I'll just drive by' but it was still a bit harder than I expected. 

"But at least it was a bit enjoyable as after that it was a bit of lonely race. 

"We were too slow compared to Seb and Lewis, but the balance was good.

"It's always good to be on the podium and to be on the podium here is even more special."