Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsToro Rosso

Verstappen frustrated with team and team-mate

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Max Verstappen was left thwarted and disappointed following a frustrating Australian GP in which the Toro Rosso driver did not reap the benefits he expected.

Following his highly impressive qualifying performance which saw him line up fifth on Sunday's grid, the young Dutchman expected a steady race into the points until a lousy second pitstop by his crew put him behind his team-mate Carlos Sainz on the track.

Verstappen hounded the latter in the second part of the afternoon but without finding an opening.

The pair soon stumbled upon a defensive Jolyon Palmer, at which point Verstappen resorted to some unequivocal radio messages to his pitwall, repeatedly urging team strategists to order Sainz to let him through.

But it all started with a botched pitstop by Toro Rosso.

"It was a miscommunication between us, bad luck," said Verstappen. "I think the whole race, before that [botched pitstop] I was much faster and I was pulling away. Then we got stuck behind Sainz and no chance to get past."

In the end, perhaps Verstappen's nerves got the better of him when some late braking at Turn 15 resulted in the junior bull hitting his team mate, and spinning!

Still, the young charger closed a six-second gap to Sainz in the closing stages of the race as the duo rounded out the top-10 finishers.

"It was very frustrating and disappointing, hopefully we try to do better next race. There was definitely more in it than P10."

AS IT HAPPENED: 2016 Australian Grand Prix

2016 F1 season: Team-by-team preview

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.