Despite the fact that before even finishing the first practice session on Friday it was announced that he would receive a grid penalty for changing engine, the world champion has been in sensational form during the Spa-Francorchamps weekend, leading the FP2 and staying very close to doing the same in FP3.
In addition, in qualifying he showed that he did not care about the penalty, and he was the fastest in Q1 as a warning of what was to come: a great first lap in Q3 that gave him the first position with seven tenths of an advantage over Carlos Sainz, who inherited his pole position.
Such was the superiority of Max Verstappen, that he did not even need to leave the pits for a second final attempt, as his rivals did.
After praising the performance of his Red Bull RB18, Verstappen said he had high aspirations ahead of Sunday’s race.
“We have to move forward,” he said as soon as he got out of the car. “I think, especially with a car like this, it will be a shame not to be on the podium.”
Verstappen celebrated that Red Bull had made a change in Belgium, and was delighted with how he can handle the RB18.
“It was an unbelievable qualifying, but I think we’ve been at it all weekend already,” he reflected. “The car has worked very well and we have basically tried to set it up. And everything has gone well in qualifying.”
“Of course, you had to be a bit careful with the number of tires I was using, also thinking about tomorrow’s race, where I will have to start from the back of the grid, but yes, I am very happy with my lap. And it’s great to be here.”
“It’s an amazing track, with spectacular fans. I hope they had a good day.”
He added: “Sometimes here it’s a bit easier to nail a lap than at other circuits where if you have a little block you lose a lot of lap time. I would say it’s definitely one of the best qualifying laps of my season.”
Despite the exhibition and that he received the award for pole position, Formula 1 will count the pole position of the 2022 Belgian GP to Carlos Sainz, who will add his second, while Verstappen will try to add the 17th in Zandvoort in just one week.
Legendary Jacky Ickx gives Max Verstappen the award for pole
Do you want to read our news before anyone else and for free? Follow us here on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, at your fingertips!
