Why Verstappen is 'happy' with pole position for Mercedes

Mercedes were looking strong in Canada from practice onwards. In the third free practice, Russell and Hamilton really seemed to have a fast car with which pole position could be attainable. However, Mercedes often thought they had a good car, only to be disappointed in the meaningful sessions. This time, however, it proved to be right.

''Mercedes were fast over the weekend. In that respect, second place is still very good, because if you look at the lap times it's obviously equal, but they had gone three tenths faster in Q2. I think there was a lot more in it for them," Verstappen stated to GPblog and others after qualifying.

Why Verstappen is happy Mercedes took pole

Qualifying produced a mixed result for Mercedes. Russell took pole and celebrated, but Hamilton did not get beyond P7 after a poor second run in Q3. It did not diminish the spectacle of qualifying. Verstappen also enjoyed that qualifying, and secretly, the Red Bull driver was also quite happy that it was a Mercedes that snatched pole position from in front of him.

"I think Mercedes didn't show their real best lap. On the other hand, you're also glad it was Mercedes and not Ferrari because they are obviously closer to us in the championship. But we have to focus ourselves, force things ourselves because you can't rely on the competition."

The weekend went even worse for Ferrari than for Verstappen. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both failed to get through Q2 and will start from P11 and P12 on Sunday. Yet Red Bull Racing cannot celebrate right away. Verstappen was the only driver in Q2, as Sergio Perez failed to escape Q1 and starts from P16.