Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, the Dutchman said: “I didn't expect to win today, that's for sure. In boxing under the safety car, and that almost gives you a free pit stop, kind of.”

And about McLaren:“They didn't really catch up too much — it was all under control, let's say like that. But for sure that goal with the pit stop made me win the race today.”

Asked if McLaren’s strategic error was another example of his point — that he’s still in the title fight thanks to their mistakes — Verstappen added cheekily: “Another one, yeah.”

Finally, when asked if McLaren might be playing too safely by trying to stay too clean, the Dutchman replied: “I don't think it was about playing too fair today, it was just missing the whole pit stop opportunity. on pure pace they're faster, but as it showed today again, anything is possible.”

The four-time world champion also had a few words for Zak Brown after the race. Ahead of the Qatar weekend, the McLaren CEO had compared Verstappen to a horror movie villain — someone who always rises unexpectedly just when opponents think he’s out of the fight.

Speaking to GPblog after his standout race win, aided by McLaren strategy blunder, the Red Bull driver fired back with a cheeky nod to the Chucky horror franchise.