Max Verstappen qualified in fifth place for the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix, which the Dutchman was happy with, despite being three tenths down on Red Bull Racing team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
For Verstappen the qualifying session was all about not making any mistakes, after an incident packed weekend in Monaco for the 18-year-old, where he found the barrier on a number of occasions.
“Definitely a much better qualifying for me today, top five which is around where we wanted to be. I had hoped we would have been a bit closer to Mercedes but it is what it is. They turn up the power in qualifying and seem to be very strong so hopefully tomorrow we can be a bit closer.
“My last run in Q3 wasn’t great, you should usually improve and I didn’t but it’s not so bad. Our race pace is looking good and that is where you score the points, also you never know with the weather.
“Here in Canada you run close to the barriers but you still have time to correct it, unlike Monaco. Conditions are a bit different from yesterday so you have to change your driving style as it’s very easy to lock up or run wide.”
Although the times were close at the top on Saturday, Verstappen is well aware that both the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS and Scuderia Ferrari squads are looking strong, but the Dutchman is up for the fight and is also hoping that the chance of rain might play to their advantage.
“It will be difficult to beat the Mercedes, and the Ferrari’s also look quick but hopefully a bit of rain will help us tomorrow in the race. I think it will be very challenging.”
