Red Bull Racing will be disappointed with Saturday’s Portuguese Grand Prix Qualifying, as they locked out the second row behind both Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
It could have been pole for Max Verstappen but instead lines up in third, after his fastest lap of the session was deleted for exceeding track limits at turn four. Verstappen had no choice but to exceed the track limits, after his car became unsettled and almost span in the windy conditions.
Sergio Pérez lines up alongside him in fourth, but he too struggled through qualifying, complaining about the balance of his Red Bull. Not everything is lost for Red Bull though as they do start the race on the medium compound tyre giving them multiple strategy options.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is hoping the team can put the difficult qualifying behind them, and give the Silver Arrows ahead of them a run for their money!
“It was a difficult qualifying session today, particularly with the very windy conditions, but both drivers progressed through to Q3 on the medium tyres which gives us better strategy options in tomorrow’s race where we lock out the second row of the grid,” said Horner.
“Max’s first run in Q3 was quick enough for pole but unfortunately his lap was deleted for track limits after a gust of wind at Turn 4 unsettled the car, causing him to run only millimetres wide.”
“Max’s second and final run was then compromised by traffic so it was a rather frustrating third place for him. Checo did well meanwhile to recover from a little scare in Q1 after he briefly visited the gravel trap to take fourth alongside Max. Hopefully both cars can get a good launch and a clean run in tomorrow’s race to make life difficult for the two Mercedes in front.”
