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Horner explains P2 of Verstappen: 'That's why he lost pole position!'

Horner explains P2 of Verstappen: 'That's why he lost pole position!'

14-11-2020 17:13 Last update: 18:11
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GPblog.com

The chances of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing achieving their first pole position of the season seemed considerable. At the end of the day it however wasn't supposed to be that way. Christian Horner understands why the Dutchman is so disappointed.

After the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2016, it was clear that Max Verstappen would be able to perform well in wet conditions. Also during today's qualifying the Dutchman was driving very well. A pole position was in front of him until Lance Stroll suddenly set the fastest time of the day at the end. Verstappen was visibly disappointed after qualifying.

Christian Horner said it was a matter of bad luck. "Max was dominating in Q1, Q2 and the beginning of Q3 on the extreme wet tyre. The end of Q3 was right on the crossover for intermediates and we pitted both cars and swapped to them. Max unfortunately lost quite a bit of time behind Kimi on the first lap and was unable to warm his tyres properly.

"We also seemed to struggle for grip more on the inter than on the extreme wet with both cars as we struggled to generate tyre temperature. Max's final lap still looked good for pole but a snap at Turn 7 cost him around six tenths of a second putting him P2. To lose pole by three tenths of a second after topping all sessions this weekend is understandably disappointing," said the team boss in Red Bull Racing in the team's review of the day.