Can Verstappen qualify top 4? "Not with the balance we had today"

Max Verstappen expects qualifying to be difficult for him and Red Bull Racing. In addition to the fact that Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are far too fast, he also fears that a spot on the second row of the grid will become difficult.

Verstappen thinks the drivers will be waiting for each other a lot, just like last year. "You will see that everyone will do that in qualifying. It will depend on how you do your out-lap. Expect a lot of chaos in qualifying. Everyone is just waiting for each other in the pits", says Verstappen at the F1 Cafe of Ziggo Sport. The minimum time drivers have to drive will also make little difference, according to Verstappen.

"I think Lewis drove with a little more power at the start of the first run and he drove behind Bottas with the slipstream. And Bottas drove alone, that's why. A lot will depend on the slipstream. Everybody is fine-tuning the engine of course", the Dutchman continues.

According to Verstappen, Red Bull still have to work hard to start on the first row of the grid. The car had a bad balance on Friday. "Absolutely not with the balance we had today", says Verstappen when asked if the first two rows are feasible.