Verstappen dismisses talk of a 'failed tow': 'Otherwise I'd have been sixth'

Kimi Antonelli took a convincing pole, roughly three tenths faster than Verstappen. Earlier in qualifying, Lando Norris surprised with a very quick time. Since the Brit will start behind him, Verstappen doubts whether he can hold his starting position going into Turn 1 tomorrow. First of all, he addresses teammate Hadjar, who was able to give him a tow because he will start from the back this Sunday.

“It was definitely helping me, otherwise I would not be standing here. Otherwise I think I would be like P6, or something," Verstappen said after Qualifying. "So, I think Isack today, knowing that has to start at the back of the grid, he did a really good job giving me a tow in the final sector, and that’s why we’re standing right here.

Verstappen at least sounds positive about the car. After Friday practice he already indicated that the first sessions of the weekend went virtually without issues, though there were some details Red Bull Racing could improve. “I think the car has been quite decent the whole weekend, not on the level maybe that Kimi was doing. But we’re happy to be on the front row with how we executed as a team."

On Saturday morning during FP3, Red Bull focused mainly on tire degradation during the long runs, alongside the preparations for qualifying. Gianpiero Lambiase said on Friday evening that the data was still causing some headaches. From the start of the weekend Red Bull worked with two different run plans anyway, because due to Hadjar’s engine change they already knew one car would start from the back. That produced varied feedback.

The long runs seem to be in good shape at least, which is a good sign for Sunday. Verstappen doesn’t want to say too much about it: “It’s always tough around here with the tyres and the long runs. I’ll just do my best and see if we can hang in there or not.” concludes the four-time world champion, who will be on the front row for the first time in a long while, with Antonelli ahead of him.