Max Verstappen makes revelation about Hamilton and Vettel at British Grand Prix
MAX VERSTAPPEN admits it will be ‘difficult to challenge’ Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel during Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Verstappen had to settle for fifth position during a spectacular qualifying session, which ended in the top three drivers being separated by just a tenth of a second.
After qualifying the 20-year-old Red Bull driver took to Twitter, saying: “P5 it is, the best we could do today in qualifying.
“The car felt really good in Q3.
“It will be difficult to challenge the guys ahead tomorrow, so let’s hope for an exciting race.”
It will be difficult to challenge the guys ahead tomorrow, so let’s hope for an exciting race
Verstappen had a troubled time during the free practices sessions on Friday and even yesterday predicted the team would not be fighting for pole position.
The Dutchman suffered a gearbox failure in the first free practice session before crashing his car early in the second free practice session.
“I think I wanted to be too quick on the hard tyre so I just lost it,” he said after spinning off the track.
“Unfortunately when you hit the wall, it just rips off the right rear.”
Lewis Hamilton meets 'awesome' fans at Silverstone
“It seems we’re definitely not fighting for pole but we’ll just try again tomorrow,” he said on Friday.
Verstappen will start Sunday’s British Grand Prix ahead of his Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo, but both Red Bull drivers find themselves off the pace set by the leaders.
Lewis Hamilton took pole position after delivering a record track time of 1:25.892. It was the British driver’s final throw of the dice and saw him pip his rival, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, by just 0.044 seconds.
Hamilton was in jovial mood after qualifying, taking time to thank the massive crowd at Silverstone for their support.
"I gave it everything I could," Hamilton said standing in front of the main stand.
"It was so close between the Ferraris. I was just praying I could do it for you guys.
“I am so grateful for the support and without you I wouldn't have been able to do it.”
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen secured third place on the grid with a time of 1:25.990 and Hamilton’s Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas secured fourth with a time of 1:26.217 completing the second row.
Sunday’s British Grand Prix will start at 2.10pm.