Third starting position for Max in British GP: 'It is a good start'

Published on 01 August 2020 by Kees-Jan Koster

In qualifying for the British Grand Prix Mercedes showed its dominance by taking the first start row with Lewis Hamilton on pole. Max Verstappen had to settle for third position on the grid with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc besides him in fourth.

After qualifying Max says: “My last lap in Q3 was really good, but from the start of qualifying it was clear that Mercedes was way to fast for us, as they were in the last three races. We just have to accept that and do what we can. At the moment that is P3, so I am pleased about that.”

Looking ahead to the race, Max adds: “It is a good start and the race is different. I think we are a bit closer to Mercedes in the race. I am not saying I am going to fight them, but at least we have a fighting chance starting third.”

Max continues: “Qualifying went well. We did what we could. It is a big gap, but we try to get the best out of it, and at the moment that is P3. Hopefully I will have a good start and will try to get everything from the car to score as many points as possible.”

Silverstone is a very open track where the wind has a big influence, especially on the aerodynamically sensitive Formula 1 cars. “Yes, the cars are very sensitive to wind, because they are so big and wide”, explains Max. “Especially here at Silverstone. Yesterday, for example, was very tricky in the low speed corners, while today the wind changes and it becomes a completely different car. Luckily in the right way, because today it was a lot more fun to drive.”

 In the first part of qualifying Mercedes dominates and Max follows three tenths behind. At the back both Haas drivers (Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean) come short in P16 and P19. Also Alfa Romeo is finished after Q1, as Antonio Giovinazzi (P17) and Kimi Raikkonen (P18) can only keep the Williams of Nicholas Latifi (P20) behind them.

Mercedes, Red Bull, Racing Point and Leclerc do their first run in Q2 on the medium tyre, hoping to get an advantage at the start of the race. Hamilton makes a high-speed spin, causing a red flag to remove the gravel from the track. With eight minutes to go the session is restarted and Hamilton comes out on track first and gets into second position, behind teammate Bottas.

Pierry Gasly is in P11 the first drop out of Q2, even though he set exactly the same time as Stroll in P10. Alex Albon has to settle for P12, in front of Nico Hulkenberg (Racing Point), Daniil Kvyat, who has a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox, and George Russell.

Max sets the third time in Q2, but more than a second behind the Mercedes of Bottas. Both Max and the two Mercedes drivers will start the race on the medium tyre as that was the tyre they set their fastest time in Q2 on.

In Q3 all bets are off and the engines go to full power. Again Mercedes shows their dominance, with Hamilton on pole and Bottas three tenths behind on the first row of the grid. Max follows in a second behind Hamilton in third, in front of Leclerc, Norris and Stroll. The British Grand Prix will start on Sunday at 15.10 Dutch time.

British GP contest: win a RBR Max Verstappen orange T-shirt!

Results qualifying Great Britain: