Verstappen: Communication with Red Bull key to Hockenheim victory

Max Verstappen put his charge to victory in a dramatic German Grand Prix down to good communication with the Red Bull pit wall to make the right tyre calls in changeable conditions.

Verstappen took his second victory in three races after a frenetic race at Hockenheim that started in wet conditions, featured four Safety Car periods and was won on a five-stop strategy, with regular changes between wet and dry tyre compounds.

Verstappen's win hopes looked slim after the first switch from wet to dry tyres as he spun in the final sector, only to then recover the lead on the return to Intermediate tyres after jumping both Mercedes cars.

The Dutchman dominated the second half of the race to pick up his seventh F1 win as a number of his rivals crashed out.

"It was very tricky out there," Verstappen said. "We had to stay very focused, we couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Now after the race I think I can say that I did that 360 for the crowd, but it was tricky out there, the Medium tyres with very low grip.

"The communication between myself and the team was crucial today, and I think we made the right calls. That gave us the victory.

"Also once I was ahead of the Mercedes cars, you could really see the pace we had because I was stuck in the dirty air in the first few laps behind Valtteri [Bottas].

"Once you’re ahead, you can basically save your tyres a bit more, and everything was basically a bit more under control."

It was the latest in a long line of impressive displays from Verstappen in the wet, a specialty he feels has come with his growing experience in F1.

"A lot of practice I think from when I was young in the wet, working many hours together with my dad, who I think was also pretty decent in the wet," Verstappen said.

"He also gave me the right tips, and not only just driving in the wet, but making decisions as well while driving, paying attention to what’s happening around you.

"And of course experience in life, in Formula 1. I think if you do over 90 races, you have experienced a lot already, and based on that, of course you also can make better decisions I think."