Max Verstappen admits being LUCKY after going fastest in qualifying

verstappen, hungariangp — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen

Verstappen admits being LUCKY after going fastest in qualifying

Verstappen stormed to pole position at Spa but will take a grid drop

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Saturday 29 July 2023 08:57

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Max Verstappen believes he was fortunate to land the fastest time in qualifying for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix

The Dutchman is looking to win his eighth grand prix in a row this weekend but will be hampered on race day after being forced to take a five-place grid drop after changing his gearbox on Friday morning.

As such, despite qualifying fastest at Spa he will start sixth on Sunday, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc on pole having been an astonishing eight tenths slower.

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With Verstappen appearing to have such an advantage, it is little wonder he is still favourite to win on Sunday and continue Red Bull's winning streak into a 13th race going back to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season.

However, Verstappen could have lined up as low as 16th on the grid after only just managing to scrape into the final qualifying session.

"It was very tight. The conditions were tricky and the track was drying quickly. On my final lap in Q2 I didn't have the confidence to push more and I was very lucky to be in P10.

"In Q3 you have two tyre sets and can push a bit more, risk more and that's what we did on that final lap.

"I know I have to drop back on Sunday with the penalty I have, so it was the best I could do today."

Max Verstappen was untouchable as he set the fastest lap in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix

Max blitzes field to take pole

Verstappen's narrow escape was magnified after an extraordinary row with his race engineer at the end of Q2, but he put it behind him before putting in an astonishing time no driver could get near to take pole.

"Sector 2 was still a bit damp. There was only one dry line and in some corners you had to do an alternative line.

"It was all about feeling confident and risking everything in that final run to get more lap time.

"We know the car was quick and even in these tricky conditions luckily we showed it again."