Horner: 'Verstappen's last sector insane, absolutely insane'

Christian Horner is delighted with Max Verstappen's pole position, but the Red Bull Racing team boss is well aware that the points won't be distributed until Sunday. Horner therefore won't get ahead of himself, although he can't hide his enthusiasm about Verstappen's lap.

"We discussed the slipstream this morning and we lowered the downforce. It was the only way to match these guys [Mercedes] on the straights. After Q1, I was like, 'Wow, the times Lewis is putting on the clocks, we can't do that.' But then Q2 came towards us," Horner said in front of Sky Sports cameras.

In the second qualifying session Verstappen caused a flat spot on his mediums tyres. Red Bull then decided to opt for the soft tyres after that, meaning they will start the race on the softest compound. "It's very much 50-50," Horner revealed about the two potential strategies. "We're not overly upset starting on the softs. The medium is more robust."

Amazing lap from Verstappen

"That was one of Max's best laps of the year. Even on the following lap we got him to back off on and he matched the time. The tow is worth a tenth or two and not half a second. His last sector with the downforce he has on is just insane. Absolutely insane" Horner concluded.