Horner: 'Perez was unlucky with Leclerc's action'

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner looks back on a qualifying session for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez where there was more to be got out of. The Briton thinks Verstappen still got a nice result despite a mistake and Perez was unlucky with Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull's men start from P2 and from P8 (Carlos Sainz receiving a penalty) and that is not good enough for this year's championship team. For Verstappen's championship it does not matter much, as he is champion, but for Perez the battle is still on for P2. The Mexican's luck is that Leclerc, with whom he is fighting for P2 in the championship, still qualified behind him.

Horner says in a team press statement, "First of all, great work by Kevin Magnussen and Haas on pole position. The conditions were difficult. The rain was everywhere during Q1, Q2 and Q3, but the guys did a good job and got to Q3." Until Q3 there was little to worry about, but the treacherous conditions at the end of qualifying prevented a strong opening to the weekend for Red Bull.

"Unfortunately, a small mistake in turn eight cost Max some time, but being on the front row of the grid for the sprint race is still a positive result. Checho had some bad luck. Charles was on intermediates and I think Checo had expected Charles to go into the pit lane, but he stayed outside. This compromised Checo's lap, but I am sure he will race well tomorrow. It will be an exciting GP weekend," Horner said.