Verstappen keeps a cool head: ‘Don’t need to go to limit in Q1 or Q2’ | Spain GP

Jun 03, 2023 at 6:52 PMUpdate: 6 hours ago

Max Verstappen was one of the few drivers to keep his cool in the chaotic qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday. The Dutchman, who saw his teammate and main title competitor Sergio Pérez finish eleventh, took pole position in a dominant fashion.

“From the first lap the car felt really good,” said 25-year-old Verstappen in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya paddock. “If I have the confidence in the car and the balance is also right, I can really push the limit on this track.”

In the opening stages, the track was still quite wet, causing several drivers to make forays through the gravel. Pérez also made a mistake in Q2 and shot into the gravel, after which he was unable to improve enough to make it to the final qualifying session.

“I knew it was difficult in certain places. I also kept some margin in that regard,” Verstappen explained. “We also don’t need to go to the limit in Q1 or even Q2, especially when the track is like that. But to be honest, I haven’t had any problems myself.”

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Red Bull initially wanted to keep Verstappen in the pits in Q3

With the loss of Pérez it was soon clear to Verstappen that he would take pole position. His first attempt in Q3 was enough to keep number two Carlos Sainz behind him by more than four tenths.

Verstappen still went out after his first run in Q3, although Red Bull initially wanted to keep him in to save tires. “The team said we were not going to continue. But I wanted to continue, because I knew there was more to it,” said the Limburger.

“They said, ‘Go outside and we’ll let you know if anyone else is going faster or not.’ In the end nobody went faster. In my second attempt I arrived at turn 10 and then I was already two tenths under my time. It could have been another nice lap, but it was not necessary.”

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“It’s fine on pure race pace”

Verstappen continued an excellent weekend with his pole lap. He was fastest in all sessions this weekend. “Am I nervous about tomorrow? I don’t think I will sleep a wink,” joked the two-time world champion. “I just have to make sure I pay close attention to the tyres, because here they always wear out quickly. On pure race pace I think it’s fine.”

As far as Pérez is concerned, Verstappen still sees his teammate finish on the podium. “With the speed we have in the car, ‘Checo’ should normally just finish second.”

World Cup leader Verstappen starts the race in Barcelona on Sunday with 39 points ahead of number two Pérez (144 to 105 points). The Grand Prix of Spain starts at 3 p.m.

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