He was the big favorite, obviously, for pole position. But it didn't happen that way. Max Verstappen closes in second position in qualifying for the Spanish GP, behind Lando Norris but in front of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. “I think that in qualifying I put everything together – explained the Red Bull driver at the end of qualifying. All weekend I struggled to find a balance. I'm happy with the result of qualifying. I had a good lead from Checo but it wasn't enough. However, we can be happy with what we managed to bring home. We'll play it tomorrow".
Verstappen after qualifying for the Spanish GP: “Perez's wake was born by chance”
Verstappen had achieved pole position before Norris' time, thanks also to the wake by Perez which, however, was not entirely voluntary, at least according to the world champion. “It all came about by chance – said Verstappen. I didn't know where Checo was and I tried to keep up with him when I saw him. The wind was strong and made life difficult for us, but it was a good performance." With Norris' pole position, there undoubtedly seems to be more competition and duels in Formula 1 unlike last year. A sensation that, however, does not seem to displease Verstappen too much, the true dominator of the 2023 season: “In the end it is never easy to get pole. Now there are several teams ahead and it's good for Formula 1. I think everything is always very beautiful to see."
