Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reckons Max Verstappen was on course for a comfortable pole position at Silverstone until Charles Leclerc's Q3 spin. Verstappen had looked rapid throughout the wet qualifying hour, topping Q2 and leading the way as drivers built up speed during the top 10 shootout. However, on his final lap, the Dutchman was forced to back off in the final sector when he encountered a spinning Leclerc.
How much time did Verstappen lose on his final lap?
With Verstappen compromised, the door was opened for Carlos Sainz to claim his maiden F1 pole by just under a tenth of a second. Speaking after the session, Horner explained how much time Verstappen was likely to have lost in the incident. "Charles had what looked like a half spin, Max lifted for the yellow, and I think he gave up about three- or four-tenths for it," he told Sky Sports F1 . "But look, congratulations to Carlos. He's always been demon in the wet. When he was a junior for us, he was always very strong in these kinds of conditions. "I'm just pleased to be on the front row, with Checo [Perez] up there on the second row as well."
Horner's take on Verstappen's "ridiculous" Q3 spin
Horner also gave his thoughts on Verstappen's own spin earlier in Q3, which saw the reigning World Champion rotate his car at the exit of Stowe. "He didn't lose any laps, but he had one moment where he did a 180," he continued. "He only lost two seconds as he crossed the line... that was the ridiculous thing about it. It looked pretty in control, but it wasn't part of the plan! "Max, he likes to find the limit, it was just a shame he didn't get that last lap, but to still end up on the front row after a tricky session like that is a good place to be."
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