Verstappen aims for win in Miami: 'Fastest time in Q2 was enough for pole'

Max Verstappen will have to come from a long way back in the Miami Grand Prix after a late red flag in qualifying denied him the chance to attack teammate Sergio Perez's pole time. However, the reigning world champion does not consider a victory impossible and says he is aiming for "at least P2".

After qualifying, Verstappen stuck to his own guns by admitting that he himself had made a mistake in his first run. However, he also stressed that the championship will not be decided in Miami and that he will not have to deal with setbacks all year.

That is not to say that Verstappen will not 'just' go for victory at the Miami International Autodrome. What does he see as a realistic result? "P2, minimum," the Dutchman is quoted by De Telegraaf. "We have been fast all weekend. My fastest time in Q2 would have been enough for pole position, which says enough about our speed. But you have to show it at the right moments. It's frustrating that it didn't work out during my qualifying."

Whereas Verstappen will have to come from ninth place, teammate Perez will start from pole position. The Mexican may well face attacks from Fernando Alonso and perhaps even Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen, who start from the second row. Meanwhile, there is also a chance of rain on the already slippery track, after heavy rain washed away all grip on Saturday night.