© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Former Dutch F1 driver Christijan Albers says Max Verstappen was lucky that Mercedes’ car “is so nervous when it has turbulence and dirty air from another car”.
After the tense final moments of the United States Grand Prix, that saw Max Verstappen barely hold off Lewis Hamilton to take the win, Christijan Albers took the opportunity to put things in perspective for Dutch Verstappen fans.
“Let’s be honest, we are all Verstappen fans and we all have orange glasses on and Max did a fantastic job on Sunday,” Albers said on De Telegraaf’s F1 podcast.
“I think he is becoming more and more serious and he is also becoming more and more of a star in the world.
“Let’s not forget that Lewis drove a really nice race and of course we don’t want him to pass us, but that also gives a certain tension. Now you really saw a fight going on.
“On the other hand, Max is also just lucky that that Mercedes [car] is so nervous when it has turbulence and dirty air from another car.
“They have learned that now for the last races, that in terms of strategy they have to make sure that they are always in front, because it is just very difficult for Mercedes to overtake.
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“Lewis also had some bad luck in the last lap that his DRS didn’t open and that it was fully open for Max. There Max also had a bit of luck that he got through just a little bit and that’s where Lewis was unlucky.”
Albers also answered those fans who say that Lewis Hamilton is feeling the pressure of the title fight.
“Sometimes Max has a lot of bad luck, but Lewis also has a lot of bad luck despite the hardcore Max fans not wanting to see that.
“They’ve both had quite a few moments through the season. I think sometimes it’s a bit stupid to say that Lewis Hamilton is under pressure.
“Let’s make one thing clear, when a driver is fighting for the world title with a driver from another team, you have less pressure than with a driver within your own team”, Albers concluded.
