Although Max Verstappen crossed the line first in Sprint Qualifying, there was cause for concern before the lights turned green as the Dutchman's left front brake was engulfed in flames. With the cars at the back of the grid moving into position quite slowly, Verstappen's heart rate certainly increased at the sight of smoke and flames emanating from his front tyre. The Red Bull driver admitted he wasn't sure how his brakes would perform when called into action. "I was really worried," Verstappen told RacingNews365.com and other members of the media. "A little bit of fire is okay, but at one point it was becoming quite big. "I was just looking in my mirror to the guys in the back and saying speed up speed up. I wasn't sure going into Turn 3 whether my brakes were going to work but luckily it didn't do too much damage. "I think I saw a few people in the grandstand taking pictures when the brakes were on fire so for sure they have a few good shots there." Having claimed three points and pole thanks to his performance in Sprint Qualifying on Saturday, Verstappen is expecting another close battle in Sunday's race. "What we learned today is that it's very close again," Verstappen added. "It's a bit different, it seems we are quite quick in the corners and they are quick on the straights this weekend. "Of course after only one free practice session then you're not allowed to make changes, and if you don't get it right you are a bit stuck. So we have been stuck on the straight and have to make up our time in the corners. "It seemed that more or less in this flat out race that our pace was alright, but I still expect that with a pitstop or two coming into play, it's going to be a good fight."
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