Verstappen disappointed with qualifying performance

09:01, 28 Oct 2018
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has admitted his disappointment about not achieving pole position despite topping all three free practice sessions in Mexico City.
It looked as if it was going to be a clean sweep for Verstappen in his RB14, but on the last lap; somehow his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo managed to go 0.026 seconds quicker than the Dutchman to claim pole.
Verstappen felt his performance was affected by the issues to his car during FP2 on Friday, with the rear brakes locking when his foot was off the throttle.
"It's really disappointing to be consistently the fastest all weekend, and then not when it counts," Verstappen told The Checkered Flag. "I felt comfortable going into qualifying but I soon experienced similar issues that I had felt in FP2, the rear was locking while I was off throttle during cornering.
"I felt like I couldn't push the car to its limit, which you need to do in Q3 as it is the most important session. I was surprised to be on top of the time sheet at the start of Q3, but in the end it wasn't enough to take the pole."
Verstappen doesn't think that the issues with his car in qualifying will have an impact on race day and the Dutchman is delighted with Red Bull managing to lock out the front row.
"The issue should be less influential tomorrow which means we can both have a good race," admitted Verstappen. "Given today's frustration we are still in a really strong shape going into Sunday, it's just a shame to miss the pole.
"The fact we have locked out the front row for the first time in years is a brilliant result for the team, you cannot beat first and second!"