Verstappen reveals reason behind waving at ex-teammate at Japan GP

Verstappen crossed the finish line in eighth place, behind the cars of the three frontrunner teams (Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari) and Gasly’s Alpine.

The Dutchman tried to chase down Gasly during continuous laps, but once he depleted his battery more trying to make a move stick, his former teammate flew past on the straight. As the Alpine car drove past him, Verstappen waved goodbye.

Speaking to DAZN ES after the race, he explained: "Yeah, it was pretty much impossible. I mean you could you can pass but then you have no battery for the next straight.

"I was like, 'see you later, I'll try again in three laps when my battery is full,'" Verstappen added while waving to the camera as well.

The four-time world champion concluded. "It is what it is. I mean, this track anyway is hard to pass but of course with how we have to manage the battery, it’s probably even harder because it's extremely like inefficient to use your battery in a different place to normal or more than normal. So yeah, it's a bit painful."

As a result, Verstappen is currently ninth in the drivers' championship with 12 points to his name. The F1 season continues in May with the Miami Grand Prix