Verstappen reacts to grid penalty: "I find that very unfair"

Max Verstappen had to start seventh at the Qatar Grand Prix due to a grid penalty. The Dutchman ignored double yellow during qualifying. He reacts to the penalty and his second place in the race.

Whether he was disappointed with the five-place grid penalty? "To be honest not, because I knew what was coming. I knew it last night. I never get presents, so I saw it coming. In the end, I think it's tricky, they don't decide to yellow flag, the race control. Only the local Marshall sees a car stopped and thinks it's a yellow flag and therefore you are penalised. I find that very strange. It is what it is," said Verstappen at Ziggo Sport.

Verstappen it a great start and was immediately on P4. "I was motivated. They never get me small anyway. That first lap was very important, then I was quickly back in second place, but then you saw that we lacked some speed. Of course, I try to keep the gap small. I'm really happy to have set the fastest lap in the end," he continues.

Verstappen wants to hold on to the lead

Verstappen still leads the championship. The Dutchman indicates that with two races to go he is far from giving up.

"Over the whole race, we were still too slow. I'm not giving up and we will continue until the end of the season. We are in the lead and we are going to give everything. I did have to pedal at the end. Especially those last few laps where I was going for the fastest lap. You feel that for a moment. Hopefully, we can keep that [the lead]."