Verstappen bemoans FIA track limit rules despite pole

Max Verstappen has bemoaned F1's stringent track limit regulations despite taking pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Almost the entire grid fell foul of the white track boundary lines at Turn 9 at the Red Bull Ring with a spate of lap deletions creating chaos on the timesheets.

Verstappen's nearest title rival and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez will start the Grand Prix from 15th after having all three Q2 attempts deleted for infringing at the entry to Turn 10, whilst the Dutchman himself was forced to set a second banker in the same part of qualifying for committing the same offence.

"It was very difficult because of all the track limits," Verstappen said.

"We don't do this on purpose but with these speeds and the high-speed corners, it is so hard to judge the white line really.

"You can see a lot of people got caught out, including myself, so it was about surviving, even in Q3 you just want a banker lap, which takes out the joy a little bit.

"But we still did a good enough lap. Very happy to be on pole but it is still a very long weekend.

"It is always very tricky here every year. The cars are very big, heavy and to judge it on a line that wide with these speeds is incredibly hard."

F1's second Sprint event takes place this weekend, with drivers tasked with a second qualifying session in the form of the shortened Shootout, which sets the grid for the 100km race.

Remaining coy over his prospects for the rest of the weekend, Verstappen added: "We know this is a different weekend with the format but happy with today.

"Tomorrow is a very different day but at least the car is quick, that is the most important."