A second place, which all in all goes well with Max Verstappen. The weather in Brazil gave the riders no respite, who had to deal with a track that was sometimes too wet for the slicks and sometimes too dry for the intermediates in the qualifications. There are those who bet for better or for worse. One of the biggest jokers was played by Haas who managed to put Kevin Magnussen in Pole position right in front of the Dutch twice world champion. He smiles Max because finally, looking at his main rivals, light years away, if not with Russell who will start immediately behind him, e Sainz who will have penalties in the race – knows he has two more shots in the barrel: the sprint, and the race. A second place finish on Friday is therefore not the end of the world.
Verstappen hopeful for tomorrow
The one in Brazil, as partially confirmed by the results, was an anomalous qualifying. In the race Red Bull he knows he can take back the most advanced positions, even if he has to hope for a comeback without too many hitches for Perez. According to Max the RB18 has more than the other cars – not that it's new. However, we must not underestimate the weather conditions that bring rain also for the next sessions. “We knew we only had one shot because there was a chance of rain – Max said in interviews with the top 3 finishers immediately after qualifying. "I think I was the fourth or fifth car to go out, I had a lockup in turn 8 and it cost me too much today. If we compare our performances to those of our opponents, we're in good shape for tomorrow. In these conditions everything can change but we're still ahead so it's good.”
Question of limits
One of the characteristics that Verstappen has lately criticized of the Sprint is that he takes away the possibility of daring, in a race that determines the starting position of the GP on Sunday. You have to find a limit and accept it before you dare too much. This was also the case in qualifying, also taking into account the "value" that this has in determining only the starting order on Saturday. Knowing they have a car that can comfortably make a comeback, finishing the session in a good position without taking too many risks was Red Bull's aim.
"It has been difficult. You have to find the limit within which to push, and you have to do it without making mistakes that could compromise the lap. In Q1 and Q2 we kept calm, Q3 was a real lottery but we are still in the front row. I always try to have fun but I think the approach should always be the same. Let's see how competitive we will be in the race, but the weather is also an unknown factor and we won't know what will happen. Makes a race special. "
