Verstappen pleased to have split the Mercedes

Max Verstappen wasn't able to take his second victory of the season in Russia. The Red Bull Racing driver seemed to have a good chance from second place by starting with mediums, but after a hundred meters the 22-year-old Dutchman was already behind Bottas. The Mercedes driver gradually drove away and Verstappen could not do anything. He explains in his reaction after the race.

"I was just trying do my own race. I think we did everything well, and I'm very happy with second," Verstappen told Jonny Herbert. 

Balance issues with RB16

On the yellow compound, the RB16 didn't run as well as hoped. "After the restart I think we were a little bit slow on the medium, but once we went onto the hard tyre I think we were a little bit more competitive, so happy about that," he added. 

So it was not a victory for Verstappen, but he is satisfied. "To be able to split the Mercedes cars again, I think we can be pleased with that," he concludes.