And then, of course, we went onto the Hard tyre. I knew everyone behind me mainly was on a Soft, and I think especially in those last eight laps of that stint I could really create a big gap. And then from there onwards I just tried to manage the pace on the Medium. MV: I think it was important to try to keep the lead in Turn 1. Q: Very well done Max, a beautifully controlled race. So yeah, really pleased to be on the podium. So we know we brought some more downforce to the car. You know, you’re just putting in those lap times and you compare it with the guys around you – with the Astons and the Ferraris – and we were just quicker and quicker. Q: Does it actually also feel better to drive? Is it the best feeling you've had so far this year in the car? I mean, that was a fun race for us, starting from P12 and coming all the way to P3. Kudos to the team for giving me a really great car today. George RUSSELL: A little bit surprised for sure, I think. Q: George, P3 for you after quite a difficult day yesterday. Q: And you're still flat out motivated, right? And if we can get close by the end of the year, that'd be awesome. LH: They are a little bit too quick at the moment. Now, suddenly, do you think you can still give them a run for their money perhaps a bit later on? How far can you still go then? I mean, huge jump there from one race to the next. Q: It's so cool to see the positivity, also on the radio there on the in-lap and everything. They're still a bit ahead, but we will keep chasing them down. A big, big thank you to everyone back at the factory for continuing to push and for bringing us a little bit closer to the Bulls. So I just really wanted to take my hat off to my team.

What a result for our team! We definitely didn't expect to have the result we had today. Lewis HAMILTON: Man, what an awesome crowd we have here, like every year. That seemed to be an awesome performance from you, right? Did it feel good? Q: Lewis, the crowd is really cheering for you there. And hopefully, you know, we can just keep that up throughout the year. MV: I mean, we had another strong weekend and that’s what I like to see for myself from the team. Q: Are you happy to distance your main title rival in Pérez? And yeah, going around the outside into Turn 1 is always quite difficult but luckily, nothing happened. MV: I had the harder compound, of course, and I knew the start was maybe going to be a bit tricky. Q: Max, behind us we just saw that great battle with Carlos Sainz into Turn 1. But yeah, again, a win here it's incredible. I think for most of the race, we were on the right one. I mean, we had quite a lot of different types of strategies out there. Max VERSTAPPEN: I mean, it's a big pleasure, you know, to drive with a car like this. Is this the most enjoyable time ever for you in your Formula 1 career? Q: Max Verstappen, what an incredible performance once again from you today. 1 – Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), 2 – Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes), 3 – George RUSSELL (Mercedes)

Lew later meme