Horner: "A rather frustrating third place for Verstappen"

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez did not manage to get on the front row of the grid for Red Bull Racing. However, team principal Christian Horner is not unhappy. The medium tyres may well help the team in the race.

“It was a difficult qualifying session today, particularly with the very windy conditions, but both drivers progressed through to Q3 on the medium tyres which give us better strategy options in tomorrow’s race," Horner said in the team's debrief.

"Max’s first run in Q3 was quick enough for pole but unfortunately, his lap was deleted for track limits after a gust of wind at Turn 4 unsettled the car, causing him to run only millimetres wide," Horner continued. The Briton is not happy with the traffic that disrupted Verstappen's second and final run. "Max’s second and final run was then compromised by traffic so it was a rather frustrating third place for him."

"Checo did well meanwhile to recover from a little scare in Q1 after he briefly visited the gravel trap to take fourth alongside Max. Hopefully, both cars can get a good launch and a clean run in tomorrow’s race to make life difficult for the two Mercedes in front," concluded the Brit.