Max Verstappen admits he was “super annoyed” not to claim his first pole in Formula 1 after being beaten by Sebastian Vettel in the closing moments on Saturday’s Qualifying session at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Red Bull looked on course to become the youngest driver to take a pole position, a record currently held by Vettel, after clocking an impressive 1:16.574s to take top spot by four-tenths, but the Ferrari driver would strike on his last flying lap to go almost a tenth clear and secure his 50th career pole.
Though eventually seeing the positives, the 20-year-old acknowledged the gap and the way he missed out was hugely disappointing at first.
“I’m super annoyed,” he states. “I don’t know what it was. Well actually in Q3 it just got a bit more difficult, couldn’t get the tyres to work and of course second is good but not in this way. I gave it all today, unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough. I really wanted that pole position but at least we start in a good position.”
Verstappen’s second place was only reaffirmed by the stewards some 40 minutes after the session as they investigated whether he impeded Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes after backing off during his first run in Q3.
No further action was warranted, but it came amid the fallout of the post-race penalty issued last weekend in Austin, which saw the Red Bull drop off the podium.
“There is no incident for me. He outbrakes himself in the next corner,” Max said, offering his view on the close moment. “I was on the inside, I didn’t hold him, he can think what he wants. I was already past the point where you go to the right. I don’t see an incident.”
