Verstappen back on the podium at last: ''He needed this too''

Max Verstappen once again managed to split the two Mercedes drivers in Russia by finishing second. Lewis Hamilton had to settle for a third place, which according to Stoffel Vandoorne is a great achievement for the Dutchman.

Of course it took some effort, but through a great qualifying session and a strong race Verstappen managed to secure a second place. The Hamilton penalty of course played a major role and it is doubtful whether Verstappen would have come second without Hamilton's penalty, but he was there to take advantage of the mistakes of the competition.

As reserve driver and driver of the Formula E team, Vandoorne is closely involved with the Mercedes team and looks at the Dutchman with admiration. ''He is always very close and has done very well this weekend. He also needed that after the last two failures and then it's great to be able to split up the Mercedes drivers'', says the Belgian at the Post Race Show of Formula 1.

Vandoorne also talks about his close bond with the Dutchman. ''He is very relaxed next to the track. I can get along very well with him and we also live very close to each other. We speak the same language so that makes it all a bit easier of course. I spend a lot of time with him in Monaco'', concludes the number two of the last FE championship.