Max Verstappen has praised McLaren’s recent progress in Formula 1, considering their performance at the British Grand Prix to be “quite impressive.” However, Verstappen believes he will maintain his lead and expects a tough challenge from McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
During qualifying, Norris topped Q1, with Piastri securing second place in Q2 behind Verstappen. The final run in Q3 saw Norris briefly take provisional pole position, but Verstappen managed to snatch it away from him in the closing moments, securing pole by a margin of 0.1 seconds, with Piastri in third place.
Verstappen acknowledged McLaren’s strong performance, particularly given their progress throughout the season. He expressed his happiness for the team and hopes they can maintain a strong race pace on Sunday.
While Norris was delighted with his front-row start, he admitted that he would have needed Verstappen to make a mistake in order to claim his first-ever Formula 1 pole position. Norris acknowledged Verstappen’s excellent driving and the Red Bull team’s overall performance.
Looking ahead to the race, Norris mentioned McLaren’s struggles in previous races compared to their qualifying performances. He cited the example of Spain, where he qualified third but finished 17th. However, he also mentioned the team’s strong performance in Austria and remains hopeful for a competitive race on Sunday.
Verstappen, on the other hand, expects to maintain his lead and believes McLaren may not pose a significant threat to his victory. While he acknowledges their progress, he remains confident in his own abilities and the performance of his team.
In conclusion, Verstappen commended McLaren’s progress and hopes for a strong race from them. However, he remains confident in his own capabilities and expects to maintain his lead in the British Grand Prix. Norris, while optimistic, recognizes the challenges McLaren has faced in races and hopes to put up a fight for a top-five finish.
