Christian Horner labels Max Verstappen’s epic qualifying run as ‘one of his best laps EVER’
Christian Horner labels Max Verstappen’s epic qualifying run ‘one of his best laps EVER’ to claim pole position… but world champion says he ‘doesn’t care’ unless he wins Monaco Grand Prix
- Verstappen was 0.2 seconds off entering the final sector, but took pole
- The lap secured what was his first pole position on the iconic Monaco circuit
- He is heavily favored to win the race with traditionally difficult overtaking
Christian Horner has insisted Max Verstappen’s lap to take pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix was one of his best ever qualifying laps.
The defending champion came from 0.2s behind Fernando Alonso after two sectors of the final lap to edge the Spaniard by 0.08s to secure his first-ever pole at the iconic circuit.
He was full of emotion on team radio after taking first place, denying Alonso his first pole in over 170 qualifying sessions.
Verstappen will now be the firm favorite to win Sunday’s race, with traditionally difficult overtaking on the track.
Red Bull team boss Horner, meanwhile, was full of praise for his driver, who is again leading the world championship.
Christian Horner read Max Verstappen’s qualifying run as ‘one of his best ever laps’
Verstappen recovered in the final sector of his lap to secure his first pole position in Monaco
He was 0.2 seconds behind Fernando Alonso (left) but took pole 0.08 seconds ahead of the Spaniard
“I think this is one of the best laps he’s ever done in qualifying,” Horner said via Sky Sports. “When he got to the pool he was 0.2 seconds behind Fernando.
“Then all the way through that last sector, I think he hit the wall on both sides, but carried the momentum and speed. I saw him gain time, I knew it was going to be close and he just did it.
Of the 68 races in Monaco, 58 have been won by a driver on the front row. But only two of the last seven have come from the pole sitter.
Verstappen will need to beat that record if he wants to extend his lead at the top of the championship, although his closest rival, team-mate Sergio Perez, will start last after a crash in qualifying.
Verstappen is a firm favorite to win the race given the difficulty of overtaking on the track
He does admit that he doesn’t care about his qualifying round unless he wins on Sunday
The Dutchman had calmed down by the time he spoke to the media and had tunnel vision into Sunday’s race despite his impressive lap on Saturday.
“If it ends in a great result I’m happy, otherwise I don’t care,” he said.
“The race should be OK. It’s just about a clean start. There is always chaos in Monaco, but I think our race pace in the overall behavior of the car on the tires is fine.
“It was all about putting that together in one lap, which I knew was going to be a bit more difficult for us here in Monaco just with how our car is characterized. But still, to be first here, is great for the whole team.”