Christian Horner heaped praise on Max Verstappen, the fastest man after qualifying for the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix, as most in the Formula 1 paddock were left in disbelief from the astonishing pace of Red Bull’s RB18 in the hands of the Dutchman.
Normally the fastest man in qualifying gets pole position in Formula 1, but on occasions like today, Verstappen, although easily the fastest in the session, will take “strategic” Power Unit penalties and thus will drop down the grid.
But what the reigning F1 Champion made clear was his statement of intent, and that was to destroy his rivals as he did today, as Red Bull seemed unaffected by the full implementation of FIA’s TD039.
Even Christian Horner was surprised by the pace his star driver had on Saturday in Spa, and said: “Unbelievable, I mean the pace that he had, the lap time was so good that he didn’t need to do the second run so we saved the engine mileage.
“A phenomenal performance and also Q2 on that scrub set of tyres the lap time he did, he has been on fire this weekend so a hard fight for P15 but at least it is not last.
“Psychologically it is always nice to get out of the car after the first run in Q3 and know you have done enough but of course it is all about tomorrow,” Horner warned.
“Starting in the middle of the pack there is always risks associated with that but we are set for a brilliant race tomorrow with Max and Charles fighting their way through the field then Checo perfectly poised to take on Carlos at the front as well,” he explained.
When you know you’ve got grid penalties, but you put it on POLE anyway ? @Max33Verstappen ?? pic.twitter.com/sSSE4UqBGD
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) August 27, 2022
Red Bull prefer Perez to start P2
Speaking in the team report, Horner revealed that the team was targeting a P2 start for Sergio Perez, rather than inheriting his teammate pole, a tactical decision as the starting behind Carlos Sainz, the Mexican will have the advantage of the tow, something the Spaniard will not enjoy in this case.
“It was an unbelievable Qualifying from Max today, the lap time was so good he didn’t need to do the second run. He has been absolutely on fire this weekend,” Horner began.
“It’s a hard fight from P15 and there are always risks associated with that but we are in for a fantastic race tomorrow with Max and Charles fighting their way through the field,” he added.
“Checo also had a brilliant qualifying, he is perfectly poised to take on Carlos at the front,” the Red Bull boss continued. “History has shown us with Sebastian a few years ago, Daniel Riccardio and even Max that at the start, with that run up the hill, the tow is very powerful with the DRS closed.
“We discussed ahead of time and agreed that tactically P2 may be a better place to start. Yes P1 is traditionally the best place to start but here its all to play for.
“There is going to be a lot to keep on top of tomorrow,” the Briton concluded.
Do not miss tomorrow’s #BelgianGP ?? pic.twitter.com/L2F1MtEGYW
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) August 27, 2022