Verstappen lost it in Baku: 'Can I say that?'

For the first time this season, Red Bull Racing suffered defeat. After three consecutive pole positions and subsequent wins, Charles Leclerc bested Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Baku in the battle for pole position for the race on Sunday. Unexpected? For the fans, perhaps, but not for Verstappen.

At the post-qualifying press conference in Baku, Verstappen explained that pole is never a certainty for Red Bull, no matter how much fans and journalists alike believe they are favourites every race weekend. So was the Dutchman surprised that Leclerc was faster in Azerbaijan? "But if you look at all the qualifyings, I mean, I think, in general, it's been quite close, the first three rounds", the world champion told the media, including GPblog.

'Never super dominant over one lap'

Verstappen continued, "We have a really good race car, I think, but it's never really been, let’s say, super-dominant over one lap. I don't know why that is. It was the same last year, of course, it was also a bit down to being overweight. But then at one point, we started to trim that down and it was still not our, let's say, best day on the Saturday."

Charles Leclerc said Friday afternoon in Baku, after taking pole, that he expects it to be a hell of a job to maintain the lead at Sunday's Grand Prix. But there is no doubt that Ferrari's Monegasque realises that Verstappen is and remains the favourite, as analysis from Friday portrays. The title holder himself is not too worried about missing out on pole on the streets of Baku either.

Off the mark

"Of course, we all know that the points are on Sunday, so I don't mind if it's a little bit slower on Saturday and quick on Sunday", Verstappen said, only to be caught off guard for a moment. "Or whatever – I’ve lost it with the formats now. Can I say that? Quick on Sunday, Saturday?"