Verstappen reacts after fight with Norris: 'Didn't expect that'

Verstappen did win the sprint race in Austria, but especially in the early stages, the Dutchman could not build a gap to the McLarens. He came under considerable pressure from Lando Norris, who did everything in his power to take over the lead. In the end, he did not succeed and Verstappen drove confortably to victory. Reacting afterwards, the Red Bull Racing driver did say he was surprised by Norris' frantic attempt.

"I think I didn't expect him to go up the inside in turn three. I was just trying, with clipping and grip, so he went for it, and I still had, of course, the tow, not the DRS, and I decided to go back into turn four. That was good fun," Verstappen said shortly after the end of the third sprint race of the season.

The focus now shifts to qualifying on Saturday afternoon and Sunday's Grand Prix. Verstappen foresees an exciting battle for victory. "It's close. It's a tight battle. Ideally, you look in a few details what you can do better, but I need to go back to the team and look back at the race as well and as a whole. But you can actually always try to look here for improvements in the car when you can and you can change the car."