But for one mistake, Macau Grand Prix could have been so different for Max Verstappen
Dutchman, 17, shows his class coming from 24th on the grid to finish seventh
Formula One-bound teenager Max Verstappen had a simple answer when asked what he'd learned from his Macau Grand Prix experience: "Stay out of the walls".
Verstappen, 17, who will race for Toro Rosso in the big league next season, clipped a wall while challenging for the lead in Saturday's qualification race, forcing him to retire and essentially ending any hopes he had of winning yesterday's main event.
But the Dutchman showed his class with a thrilling performance, surging from 24th on the grid to finish seventh and putting in the fastest lap of the race; had the event been 20 laps rather than 15 he might have challenged for the podium.
I made one mistake the whole weekend and it was, unfortunately, the main thing
"You always want to win, but I made a mistake myself on Saturday and threw it away," he said, insisting he had no regrets.
"I don't look back, things can happen, it's Macau; until then we did a great job and today we did a great job but, unfortunately, sometimes you make a mistake."
Verstappen attacked from the off, but his race seemed to be over when his car was involved in a massive pile-up on the first lap. After some hasty repairs, he started from 24th again as the race resumed after suspension and gained ground lap after lap.
"The first start was really good, I gained a lot of positions, but then we had the crash on the second corner and a lot of guys crashed into the back of me and we had some damage.
"Then the restart we had the safety car and couldn't gain as much, so that cost me a few positions, but I think we still did a good job to finish seventh from 24th and with fastest lap.
"The car was quite damaged, the rear wing, the floor, the suspension - still in the race I had some damage so that cost a few positions for sure. To do the fastest lap time with damage on the car is just great.
"I made one mistake the whole weekend and it was, unfortunately, the main thing.
"It's a very challenging, high speed between the walls, but I like this kind of track.
"I don't know how many more positions we could have made up if it had been a clear race with no safety car, but for sure we would have been closer to the guys in front."
