Breaking news
Formula 1 Russian GP
Verstappen's Q3 lap "unbelievable", says Horner
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says Max Verstappen drove an "unbelievable lap" to qualify on the front row ahead of the Russian Grand Prix.
Adam Cooper
Published: Sep 26, 2020, 4:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Along with third qualifier Valtteri Bottas, Verstappen was able to get through Q2 on the medium tyre, while pole man Lewis Hamilton was forced to go to the soft, and thus the two top starters will start Sunday's Russian GP different strategies.
Verstappen was potentially vulnerable after his first run on the medium in Q2, so he started a lap on the soft tyre just in case he needed to improve his time – and the team made a crucial last corner decision to tell him to abandon it in order to secure the medium for the start.
Verstappen and teammate Alex Albon were the first cars out of the pitlane when the Q2 session was restarted after Sebastian Vettel's accident forced a red flag.
"It was vital that they both got clear laps," said Horner. "So that was the most important thing for us to send them out early to get them clear traffic, and so they could do their preparation.
"And we aborted the lap with Max, which enabled him to start on the medium tyre. It was a late call, but it was the right call, and that gives him a good tyre for the start of the grand prix tomorrow. It was in Turn 18, it doesn't get any more knife-edge than that!"
In Q3 Verstappen was the last driver to head out and complete his final run, and he was able to bump Bottas from second place.
Horner noted that the Dutchman benefited from a tow from Bottas, the man he bumped from second position.
"He was pretty smart," said Horner. "He waited for Bottas to pass him on the end of his qualifying lap and then started his lap, benefiting from a good tow from Valtteri.
"And that gave him a tenth on the run down to Turn One, and then obviously he had to make it all stick for the rest of the lap. And it was an unbelievable lap, really one of the best laps he's driven this season, I would say."
Horner admitted it hasn't been an easy weekend thus far.
"It's felt very bitsy. So far, we've seen flashes of promise, but we haven't managed to put a lap together because of traffic and red flags and all kinds of incidents. But Max was more confident than anybody going into that qualifying session, and he really delivered.
"Alex did a good job to get himself into into Q3. And then unfortunately, was just at the wrong end of the group, a couple of tenths could have made life look very different for him."
Sochi will be the first time that Verstappen has started from the front row since the Styrian GP, the second race of the 2020 season.
"He's been getting closer and closer to that," said Horner. "And I think that in Spa he was pretty close.
"Obviously in Mugello, he was within a couple of tenths. And so he's done a super job today to split the Mercedes pair, and of course, starting on a different tyre to Lewis, we'll see how that strategy pans out tomorrow.
"If Lewis gets a decent start and we have a nice tow then I don't think anybody would be too upset about that. But we saw in the F2 race the pole sitter was able to lead into Turn One if you get a good start."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Soft tyres "necessary" for Hamilton in Q2 despite plea
Next article Hamilton concerned about cars "flying by" him at start
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
More from
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Max Verstappen defends Chris Lulham after online abuse
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
Max Verstappen defends Chris Lulham after online abuse
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
6 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
6 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
7 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe