Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinches pole position for British Grand Prix
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Red Bull's Max Verstappen during qualifying for the British Grand Prix.
PHOTO: EPA
LONDON – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is enjoying himself and “excited to go racing” after clinching pole position on July 5 for the British Grand Prix.
The Dutchman will be on the front row for the main race on July 6 alongside McLaren’s Formula One drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris qualified third with Mercedes’ George Russell in fourth and Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth.
Charles Leclerc made it an all-Ferrari third row after qualifying sixth.
“It was tricky out there with the wind. It was shifting around a bit. These cars are extremely sensitive to it,” said Verstappen.
“That final lap was good enough. This is a proper track when you have to go flat out. You have to be really committed and it’s really enjoyable.
“We are quite quick on the straight. We have to wait to see what tomorrow will do and if there’s rain around or not. I’m happy with qualifying. It’s a big boost for the team as well and I’m excited to go racing tomorrow. We are going to have fun and try to do the best we can.”
Piastri took provisional pole until Verstappen produced a perfect final flying lap to front the grid by only a tenth of a second from the Australian.
Verstappen is third overall in the standings on 155 points, 61 behind Piastri who leads Norris by 15, and chasing his third win of the campaign to make up for retirement in Austria last weekend.
“I was happy with my first lap. The first lap was mega, to be honest. I was trying to think how I could go quicker and I didn’t,” said Piastri.
“The last lap was a little bit messy but it’s been tight all weekend. The car has felt mega all weekend but there’s been a few points all weekend scratching our head while we are not quicker.
“It’s going to be a fun race. It has been very evenly matched between us, Max and the Ferraris.”
Norris, meanwhile, said that he is satisfied with third.
Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (centre) with McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris (right) and McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri after claiming pole position in qualifying for the Formula One British Grand Prix.
PHOTO: EPA
“A good qualifying. I’m not going to be unhappy with third, though I’d love to be on top here,” he said.
“Max did a good job. Not quick enough today for us, but it’s going to be fun. Qualifying here is fast and enjoyable. Still a good day. Little margins. Little mistakes. A couple of hundredths here and there can win or lose you the game today.
“I think it’s going to be fun tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a good battle.”
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but has a three-place grid penalty carried over from Austria as punishment for shunting Verstappen out on the opening lap.
That should have raised Oliver Bearman’s Haas up to seventh but the Briton has a 10-place penalty for failing to respect red flags in final practice.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will start seventh with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly moving up to eighth and Carlos Sainz ninth for Williams with Antonelli 10th.
Off the track, motor racing’s ruling body the FIA insisted it would remain impartial after American Tim Mayer launched a potentially acrimonious challenge to incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December’s election.
“The FIA presidential election is a structured and democratic process, to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity at every stage. It is conducted in accordance with the FIA statutes,” said the FIA statement.
“In line with the FIA’s commitment to impartiality and to preserve equal treatment of candidates, FIA staff members are required to maintain strict neutrality throughout the process.”
The election will take place during the FIA general assemblies on Dec 12. AFP, REUTERS
