Honda proud of Verstappen: 'The gap was even bigger on Friday'

Red Bull Racing probably hoped for more during Saturday's qualifying, but for Honda there was plenty to celebrate. With all four cars from Red Bull and AlphaTauri in the top 10, Toyoharu Tanabe believes there's reason to give the team a pat on the back.

"Looking at our four cars, there hasn't been anyone who has finished in an unexpected position because of the situation. So I think we had a good qualifying session", the Japanese driver acknowledged in conversation with AS-web. However, the Honda chief himself also recognises that Mercedes were faster in Istanbul.

"The most disappointing thing is that the two Mercedes cars dominated with a 1-2. The thing is, looking at the difference on Friday in lap time, the difference has narrowed a lot now." The technical director of the Japanese engine manufacturer is now looking ahead, because Lewis Hamilton is sitting with a grid penalty and therefore all Honda drivers will move up a place.

"We will start from P2, P4, P6 and P9." In order that will be Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda."Sunday we will probably drive on a dry track. Let's hope we get a good result on the weekend that really should have been the Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka," Tanabe concluded.