Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen: “I’m happy with P7, I think it’s a good result. Q1 was very difficult. We started on the Intermediate tyres and then we switched to the Super Softs even though the track wasn’t completely dry and some braking zones still had some wet spots. It was easy to lock-up but I took it easy, avoided making any mistakes and got through to Q2. The track was dry then so you could do your own lines and the car was working very well. I think we’ve been showing good pace all weekend and even though it will be a difficult race for us on the straights, we can get a bit of an advantage in sectors two and three and fight for points again.”
Carlos Sainz: “A bit of a disappointing qualifying session for me today, especially because we’ve chosen the wet set-up for today which will make tomorrow’s race complicated unless it rains. It’s a shame, because I have been quick throughout the whole weekend and the first part of qualifying, but when it came to the moment that counted I got stuck in traffic in the first and second sectors and that ruined my lap. I hope it rains tomorrow because if not it will be a very complicated race due to the downforce level we’ve chosen. Overtaking will also be difficult but, obviously, I will try my best.”
James Key (Technical Director): “Today’s wet conditions were positive for us and we knew this would help us because it neutralizes the track a bit. Both drivers did very well in Q1 and we were very happy with their performance in the wet as well as in the drying conditions. We were hopeful of getting both cars into Q3 and Max did a very good job to get through with a competitive time on what was practically a dry track. Unfortunately Carlos missed his first timed lap and then got some traffic on his second one. If we also add the fact that he didn’t get an Option run this morning in FP3, it made it even trickier for him as he was still learning in Q2. To see Max get into Q3 and finish in P7 is great, we were not expecting to be so strong here.”
