Verstappen saw 'no risk' in pitting for fastest lap in Austria

©RedBull

Max Verstappen believed there was no risk in chasing the fastest lap at the end of the Austrian Grand Prix but admitted that his Red Bull team was "a little bit more nervous" about his initiative.

Verstappen enjoyed at the Red Bull Ring another day of clear sailing, the Dutchman conquering his seventh win of the season with a commanding performance that has become the norm this year.

It was also the 25 year old's 42nd career win in F1, an achievement that has allowed him to surpass the tally of the great Ayrton Senna and which slots him fifth in the list all-time F1 winners.

"It’s been a really incredible weekend, something I didn’t expect," Verstappen said after the race.

"With the Sprint format, it’s normally a bit more chaotic to get on top of everything. But I think we did everything well as a team as well, also today with the strategy, the pit stops, everything was smooth.

"Out there on the track, we just had a very quick car, and I felt comfortable in the car. And we could do everything we wanted like we planned it."

Read also: Poorly Perez happy to join 'perfect' Verstappen on podium

Given his massive points lead in the championship over his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, there appeared to be little incentive for Verstappen to chase the bonus point for fastest lap in the closing stages of the race.

Indeed, his team urged him not to force the issue or take undue risk. Nevertheless, Verstappen opted to swap his mediums for a set of softs with just two laps to go to pocket the fastest lap, which he successfully accomplished.

©RedBull

Asked if there was any risk in his initiative, the two-time world champion said: "To me not, but to the team, I think they were a little bit more nervous."

"I saw the gap, and I was like we have to pit, I want to go for the fastest lap when you have the opportunity, and that’s what we did at the end."

"I mean from the outside, maybe it looks like a big risk. But in the car for me, it didn’t feel like a risk at all."

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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.