Horner: Verstappen pole came down to final two or three corners

  • Published on 03 Aug 2019 16:32
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hailed Max Verstappen's first-ever F1 pole position, stating that the close battle came down to perfecting the final corners.

Verstappen secured pole position at the Hungaroring by less than two-hundredths of a second ahead of Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas.

The strong result in qualifying comes only six days after Verstappen's strong display at the German Grand Prix, where he took his second win of the season.

"It's been a good week so far," Horner told Sky F1. "For Max to get that pole, it's fantastic for him, what a fantastic lap. I was hoping that his first lap in Q3 was going to be enough, and was hoping the circuit wouldn't get quicker.

"But it was obvious that he needed to improve, Bottas was coming and getting closer and closer. It really came down to the last two or three corners for Max to nail the lap."

Horner also praised Honda, who he says is continuing to deliver, despite Hungary not being one of the most power-sensitive circuits on the calendar. 

"Honda is doing a super job and all credit to them for giving us the engine to get us on pole today," Horner added. "The track layout is less power-sensitive then others that we go to, but these motors are starting to come to us now.

"Progress is being made in all areas, the chassis has been working well, the engine has been working well and of course, Max has delivered some incredible laps. 

"We're definitely making progress, Austria we won, Silverstone I thin we should have been second on the road, we won the last race and now a pole position here."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • These last races makes me really curious of where Honda stack up now compared to the other suppliers. Considering how close they can fight with Merc' and Ferrari powered cars, I really begin to wonder.

    • + 0
    • Aug 3 2019 - 20:33

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,638
  • Podiums 100
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar