Horner questions cause of crucial Verstappen, Leclerc errors

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were both affected by increasing wind gusts when making mistakes in Miami Grand Prix qualifying.

Verstappen will start from ninth on the grid after aborting his opening effort of Q3 having slid wide through Turns 5, 6, 7 and 8.

The Dutchman was unable to get a time on the board at the end of the session, with Leclerc triggering red flags with one minute, 36 seconds left on the clock by crashing at the same complex of corners - the remaining time less than what would be required to complete an out lap from the pits.

The red flags were thrown around 20 seconds after the Ferrari driver made contact with the barriers and speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner said: "Had it been stopped immediately, you could have possibly got around.

"That is the difficulty of not getting a lap in. Checo did that and it was a great first lap, so delighted with the pole, just frustrated not to have both the cars up there. Max with a lot to do."

Sergio Perez was the fastest after the first timed laps were set and secured his second pole of the season.

On the Mexican's performance, Horner added: "It's amazing. It was a great first lap and I think he had the potential to go quicker as well.

Addressing the increased wing speed from Friday's running, he explained: "They were all struggling, the wind was getting up and whether that was what caught Max and Charles out, I don't know.

"But it was getting tricky, he [Perez] navigated a good lap and got the pole which was well deserved."