Horner frustration after Verstappen pole-shot destroyer

Ewan Gale
Saturday 30 July 2022 19:25 - Updated: 07:15

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed a power unit issue cost Max Verstappen the chance to fight for pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The F1 championship leader will start 10th after locking up on his first effort of Q3, before his second attempt was cut short by power problems that sent Verstappen into an expletive-laden rant.

Red Bull's session was made even worse with Sergio Perez failing to reach Q3 after a messy second session that saw a debacle over a track limit call from the FIA.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner said: "[It was] very frustrating to lose Checo in Q2. He got a bit of traffic at turn two.

"Actually, Max felt a lot more comfortable with the balance of the car and we felt we were in with a shot of pole but a lock-up on the first run into turn two immediately put us on the back foot but we still felt confident we could have a crack at it.

"Unfortunately, there was a power unit-related issue on his out-lap. We were obviously trying to reset sensors to try and cure and clear it but it wasn't to be.

"No representative time for Max in Q3, 10th and 11th on the grid, it is going to be a busy race tomorrow."

Verstappen had shot at pole

Ferrari had been out of reach of Verstappen all weekend, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sharing the top spot in the Friday sessions.

But the Dutchman had put forward his credentials for a pole challenge in Q2.

Asked if there was a realistic chance of challenging for pole, eventually taken by Mercedes' George Russell, Horner replied: "The wind got a little gust in Q3. Look, I don't know.

"On theoreticals, Max was at the very least fourth and the track was improving, I think we could have had a shot at the very least at the front row.

"At least it has happened today and not tomorrow. We will race hard from there and give it everything."