Horner remains calm after qualifying: 'Verstappen should finish second'.

Max Verstappen failed to secure first place during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race. He had to acknowledge his superiority to Lewis Hamilton who set the fastest time. Nevertheless, Verstappen can be satisfied with the performance of Christian Horner.

During the first free practice, the team boss already saw that Hamilton was in excellent shape. The British driver set the fastest time and stayed ahead of Verstappen. "I think that we saw from this morning that Lewis was very, very strong. That fresh engine obviously pumping out some horsepower for him. So, second was the best we can hope for as I said in qualifying," Horner stated in conversation with Sky Sports.

It means Verstappen will start Saturday's sprint race from second position. However, Horner has no doubts that the world championship leader will get off to a quiet start. "He's a racing driver if he can get the lead at the start he will go for it. He needs to finish second to get the pole on Sunday. You just have to go for the start and see how it goes."

Grid penalty for Hamilton

In doing so, Horner points to the grid penalty Hamilton will receive on Sunday. The Brit is having a new internal combustion engine fitted to his car this weekend, which means he will have to move back five places.