Verstappen surprised by strong McLaren performance: 'Happy to be involved'

Max Verstappen secured his fifth pole position in a row at a drying Silverstone. Big surprise of the day was McLaren, which sees both cars start right behind the Dutchman on Sunday.

Qualifying was characterised by a drying track, on which times were continuously improving and almost everyone seemed to have a chance of a place on the front row of the grid. "It's been quite a crazy qualifying, it's been quite hectic and also quite slippery in some places," Verstappen said after qualifying at Silverstone.

Verstappen was also surprised by McLaren's strong performance. On Sunday, his good friend Lando Norris will start next to him on the front row, while Oscar Piastri will join on P3. "We did our laps and then Q3, I was quite surprised to see them too there, but I mean, it's great for Mclaren as well to be here and from our side, very happy, of course, to be involved," the Dutchman continued.

In Q3, it was pretty much dry, but that meant the F1 drivers had to pay all the more attention. "There were still a few damp spots. So you have to be a little bit careful. Of course, you push close to the limit, but knowing that we have a quick car, you don't need to go to the 100% limit.," Verstappen said.