Verstappen hoping for big advantage with SuperSofts

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Max Verstappen will line up 9th on tomorrow's Austrian GP grid, putting his relative under-performance down to the circumstances rather than to the outright speed of his Red Bull.

Like his colleagues, the Dutchman had to compose with variable elements and a fast-drying track after a short rain spell, which meant that timing was the defining factor in achieving a good result in Q3.

"I was P2 when I crossed the line,' explained Verstappen. "But then of course everybody went faster. With normal conditions, we should have been at least 5th."

The Red Bull driver set his fastest time on the slower but more durable SupeSoft tyres compared to the Ultrasoft compound used by the Mercedes drivers, a choice which could represent a silver lining at the start of tomorrow's race.

"We chose the SuperSofts because the Ultrasofts have worse degradation. I haven't done a long run of the SuperSofts so we'll have to wait and see, but I hope they'll be big advantage.

On the subject of suspension failures encountered by several drivers over the weekend and accusing the Red Bull Ring kerbs as the principal cause of the breakages, Verstappen agreed that track improvements should be sought.

"I think it's dangerous in Turn 8, and in Turns 5 and 6 you don't hit the kerbs so easily, but it's a similar approach. You can clearly see what happened today, and I experienced it yesterday.

"Previously, all the drivers were happy with the kerbs so maybe now they're not so happy. I tried to speak to Charlie [Whiting] yesterday but other s need to speak to him also becaus eif it's only me it doesn't make any sense."

Verstappen said that the solution which consists of avoiding the kerbs altogether was something that was easier said than done.

"You can easily stay away but if you're in a fight and someone pushes you wide, you're going to hit the kerb. I tried to speak to Charlie [Whiting] yesterday but other s need to speak to him also becaus eif it's only me it doesn't make any sense."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.