Max Verstappen “just trying to survive” with tyre struggles in Chinese GP Sprint

Max Verstappen finished the Chinese sprint race in third after starting from second.

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has reacted to his third-place finish in the sprint race at Shanghai International Circuit in China, claiming that Red Bull simply doesn't have the pace.

After starting the race from second behind Lewis Hamilton, the Red Bull driver maintained his position until the 15th lap of the 19-lap race when McLaren's Oscar Piastri succeeded in an overtake while the Dutchman struggled with excessive tyre degradation. Verstappen confirmed that it was "tough to manage the tyres" and that the RB21 currently "lacks a bit of pace."

Speaking in the post-race interviews, the Verstappen explained:

"I think it's positive.

"I tried to give it a go because I had Oscar behind me pushing, so was trying to keep in the DRS, that helps a lot on the back straight.

"But unfortunately, I think the last eight laps, I would say we just didn't have the pace to the others, so I was just trying to survive out there, so I definitely take that P3.

"Even the cars behind were catching up quite a lot, so it was tough out there to manage the tyres, but it's OK. We'll try to do better."

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Looking ahead to qualifying later today and the Grand Prix tomorrow, Verstappen added:

"We'll try to make it better. We'll look into the data and see what we can improve a bit on the car, but I think in general, we just lack a bit of overall pace. And then of course, naturally, you have to push a bit harder, you kill your tyres a bit more, so that makes it very difficult."

Speaking ahead of the sprint race, Verstappen was surprised to secure the second spot on the starting grid. He explained:

“The lap was very good, it’s always very tough when you go from a medium to a soft [tyre] to nail the lap with no references. I mean of course when you look at it, it was 18 [hundredths] off pole, but I don’t think we should have even been on the front row anyway so I’m very happy to be second.”

Seven-time champion Hamilton clinched the victory in the Chinese sprint race, his first win with Ferrari.