Verstappen: We have a fast car and that’s the most important thing

Max Verstappen won pole for the fourth time at the Red Bull Ring, but noticed after qualifying that it was very difficult to respect the limits of the track.

Max Verstappen (1st): “Because of all these moments associated with the limits of the track, qualifying was very difficult. We are not breaking them on purpose, but at such speeds and in these fast corners it is very difficult to calculate everything accurately so as not to cross the white line.

I think a lot of people were unknowingly off track today, including me. Overall today it was important to somehow finish qualifying because even in the last session we had to be careful, and this had a little effect on the fun.

I was able to do a really good circle though, so I’m very happy to take pole. Although we always have difficulties on the Austrian circuit, because the cars are big and heavy and the speeds are very high, it is very difficult to get exactly on this narrow white line.

We understand that the sprint weekend is very different from the usual format, and tomorrow could be very different, but at least we have a fast car and that is the most important thing.

Sergio Perez (15th): “On my last lap, Alex Albon was suddenly in front of me and I just went straight because I couldn’t slow down enough. I think I lost a tenth or more when I went straight, but the stewards did not take this into account, although they blocked me.

Before the 10th turn I received information on the radio that everything was going well. There are so many different things I can control, but unfortunately it happens that you complete a good circle and suddenly get blocked, and then you also get a penalty. I think the whole system is organized wrong and that’s frustrating. But we will try to recoup somehow…”