Max Verstappen believes his gamble to stay out on slick tires during late-race rain at the Australian Grand Prix was strategically sound, despite ultimately finishing second.

After both McLaren drivers slid off track in the final sector due to unexpected rain, Verstappen opted to remain on medium compound slicks while leading. The Dutch driver maintained that staying out was logical since only three corners were affected by rain, with the rest of the track remaining dry.

"If there wasn't much more rain coming, I thought it could work," Verstappen explained. "You also have to factor in that even if they caught me on intermediates, they'd have to box again for slicks if it stopped raining."

The strategy ultimately didn't pay off when increased rainfall forced Verstappen to pit, but he emphasized there was no downside to trying: "If I'd boxed with Lando, it would have been P2. If I'd boxed the next lap, it would have been P2. And the lap that I did box, I was also P2."

While satisfied with second place, Verstappen acknowledged McLaren's superior pace during the race's first stint. "As soon as the tires started to overheat, we had no chance. McLaren just took off," he admitted. "We still have a lot of work to do to fight for a win, but I'm happy with second here - it's 18 more points than I had last year at this race."

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