Verstappen explains key moment: 'Radar said it was continuing to rain'

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Verstappen declare key moment GP Canada 2023 qualifying
17 June 2023 at 22:44
Last update 17 June 2023 at 22:50

Max Verstappen took pole position in a frantic soaking qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix. Q3 was halted by a red flag, but before that Verstappen had done all the hard work. After the resumption, no car reached his time.

Verstappen timed perfectly

The Red Bull Racing driver already showed in Q2 that he can time well. Everything that went wrong for teammate Sergio Perez went right for Verstappen. The Dutchman immediately set a fast lap on the Intermediates, then tried successfully on slicks and was then back on the Intermediates in time to keep up.

At the start of Q3, he was at the front of the pit lane. Speaking at the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen commented, "Well, you know, from our radar, it said that it was continuing to rain throughout the Q3, so we just really wanted to be up front and just wait."

No worries about bad starts

Verstappen finds it hard to pinpoint who his challengers are going to be. However, the Dutchman does think about Fernando Alonso and Ferrari and Mercedes. The traditional challengers, in other words. Chances are these challengers will only get their chance to chase Verstappen at the start. With Haas' Nico Hulkenberg on P2, Verstappen may have a bit more air on Sunday.

Indeed, starts are always a challenge for the BR19: "We always try to have a good start, but it's important to stay calm. It's a very long race, so a lot of things can happen," Verstappen said.