Max Verstappen was relieved to take pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix after failing to improve on his second run in Q3.
The Red Bull driver set his best time of 1’03.841 on his first run before encountering traffic on his second.“It was not easy to deal with the traffic in the last few corners to get a clean run,” said Verstappen. “But I think that first lap in Q3 it was good enough at the end.
“I had a good first sector and of course, I’m super happy to be on pole here at home. It’s nice to see a Red Bull car first.”
“It’s been been a very good weekend,” he added. “Again, in qualifying, the car was really good to drive.”
Having taken second on the grid for the previous three races at the Red Bull Ring, this is the first time Verstappen has claimed pole position at the short, 4.3-kilometre track.
“When you look at the track, you think there are not that many corners but actually the corners you have on the track are quite difficult,” said Verstappen.
“So even in turn one, braking for two and three, the crest then braking downhill into four. So it’s definitely a small track, but it’s really hard to get a good lap out of it.”
Valtteri Bottas qualified second but will move back to fifth place as a result of his penalty, meaning Verstappen’s championship rival Lewis Hamilton will start alongside him. Verstappen expects another close fight between the pair.
“I’m sure, again, tomorrow will be very tight,” he said. “Hopefully again will be as interesting as France.”
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hamiledon
26th June 2021, 16:13
Verstappen’s control growing over Hamilton.
erikje
26th June 2021, 16:19
Hamilton making mistakes during q3 is quite remarkable.
The pressure is obviously rising fast.
But never underestimate a old fox.
melanos
26th June 2021, 16:43
Going Valentino’s way
danny
26th June 2021, 19:21
Nothing like Valentino Melanos, who has gone a decade being slower than his teammate and is now like Karel Abraham level of a rider. Hamilton has won 3 races this season which is what he should have if everything went right relibility wise wise with Max. He could of got 4 obviously but if everything went right they both stole a win Bahrain and Paul Ricard.
I cannot remember a race where i have been dissapointed in his speed. Monaco he was dissapointing over the weekend but cannot judge the race. In Paul Ricard he was good he got unlucky his teammate could not handle the tyres and drove way too too keep up as he triggerd everything if Hamilton comes in same lap he probably goes away and then they can cover RedBull at the next stop. Remember when Lewis and Bottas were all over Max out the pits there was abit of pace in hand early on in the tyres for them so basically that could of quite easily been a win there for him. His pole in Imola tells you he still has the talent he had no buisness beating RedBull that day. Perez getting so close in his second ever race for them should tell you that.
Alex
26th June 2021, 16:43
Yep. Hamiltons raw pace hasn’t been there for a while now. However his consistently fast race pace and ability to nurse his tyres is still there. Tomorow will be close again
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
26th June 2021, 16:21
Could have sworn his 2nd lap was also good enough for pole!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
26th June 2021, 16:58
Yes, I think a qualifying session like this is impressive by verstappen, but especially by red bull, because verstappen was the only driver who managed to go into the 1.03 (hamilton might have too with a decent last lap), and he did so twice, and both would’ve been enough for pole! Reminds me of ricciardo in monaco 2018, he was the only one to go into that second (don’t remember which it was), did so twice and each of the 2 laps would’ve been enough for pole, they both had 2 tenths on the closest opponent and red bull looked like the best car in both of those qualifying sessions.
Fantomius (@liko41)
26th June 2021, 16:28
What’s that thing rolling on the sands?
Oh, it’s hamilton’s crown!
danny
26th June 2021, 17:33
@liko41 Unluckily for you it would take another decade or more for anyone on this grid to become better than Lewis in the F1 history not even just talking about stats talking the standing of the driver amongst greats. There is probably 2 on this grid who could one day pass Lewis and they are Max and George maybe 3 but even then i am now having my doubts about Leclerc a little Vettel who is basically a Lance Stroll level driver was hardly a benchmark it seems and Sainz as gone right into his team and not much difference atall. Sainz and Lando were very even and Russel is a bigger talent than both he made Lando look silly in F2
Fantomius (@liko41)
26th June 2021, 18:02
@danny unfortunately for YOU, stats don’t tell the whole story, otherwise Hamilton would be twice as good as senna, and we all know he is not.
Actually, he is not even the best in present day formula 1, as I thought.
Verstappen is wiping the floor with him in a less competitive machine and that speaks volumes about his “stats”.
DeanR
26th June 2021, 22:21
Hehehehe whatever you say 👍 Wont make any difference to the record books though, will it. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
DeanR
26th June 2021, 22:19
Great lap from Max 👍
Balue (@balue)
27th June 2021, 7:22
The angle of the story is that Verstappen should count himself lucky to get pole with a first good run, implying that the second run was not good enough, even everyone knows it was..
Hey, it’s RaceFans. Not DriverFans.