Verstappen: I guess I still know how to drive!

Max Verstappen joked that securing third place on the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix proves he still possesses his racing instincts. Although the Red Bull man was not able to convert dominance of practice into a maiden pole position, a place on the second row of the grid offers him a strong chance of success.

Verstappen has been under the microscope after a race-ruining practice crash in Monaco a fortnight ago and his threat to "headbutt" anyone who asked him about his error-prone start to 2018 raised eyebrows further.

READ MORE: Vettel torches Montreal record to take pole

However, the Dutchman has responded in the perfect manner on-track, topping the timesheets in all three free practice sessions, before delivering a superb performance in qualifying, to bolt around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve just a tenth of a second shy of Sebastian Vettel's record-breaking pole time.

Verstappen and Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo will start on the hypersoft tyre, perhaps giving them an advantage off the line over the ultrasoft-shod Ferraris and Mercedes.

"Not bad we can race from here," Verstappen said over team radio. "I guess I still know how to drive!"

The Dutchman later added on the grid: "I'm very happy with this weekend so far. The car has been working really well.

"We know that in qualifying we are missing top speed but to be third I think is great for us. I think especially in the race we can do a really good job."

Asked if Red Bull possess race-winning pace, he replied: "I think we have.

"Starting on the softer tyre is a benefit here, it's quite slippery on the track. During the race I think we are anyway competitive."

Valtteri Bottas will start alongside Vettel on the front row, while Verstappen will have Lewis Hamilton for company on row two, with Kimi Raikkonen and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo just behind.