Max Verstappen takes pole position in Mexico: 'Unbelievable'

Published on 26 October 2019 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen qualified on pole for the Mexican Grand Prix. The Dutchman headed the time list after the first runs in the third part of qualifying and did not give P1 away. Because of a crash of Valtteri Bottas in the last corner a number of drivers had to lift off, ensuring the second pole in his Formula 1 career for Max. Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel completed the top three.

“It was an interesting day, but to be the quickest in the end is unbelievable”, says a happy Max after qualifying. “The last couple of races Ferrari was very quick on the straights, but thanks to the team we were able to come back and take pole position. We do not give up, we keep working hard and always try to take the very best out of it. Today we showed to be very quick.”

To what extend did the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver think pole was possible? “Secretly you always hope. You keep pushing and try to find the right balance in the car. That is what we did and in Q3 that all came together. It felt good straight away.”

Finally Max looks ahead to the race of tomorrow: “It will be a bit different as I will start from first position instead of second, but we will give everything we have. We have a good car for the race anyway. It should not be a big issue if we lost a place at the start.”

Qualifying starts, unlike the third free practice earlier that day, on a dry Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. George Russell for Williams is the first driver to come out on track. The British rookie also sets the first time.

Max sets a 1:15.949 in his first timed lap, taking first position. Behind him are Alexander Albon, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas who form the top six. Verstappen does not come out again and finishes Q1 as quickest. Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen, Romain Grosjean, George Russell and Robert Kubica drop out.

After the first timed lap in the second part of qualifying Max is in second position. With a 1:16.136 he is a little over two tenths slower than the man in P1, Sebastian Vettel. Teammate Alexander Albon is then in sixth position. Everyone in the top six have set their times on the yellow medium tyres.

In the final phase of Q2 all drivers, including Verstappen, come out again. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver now has soft tyres on his RB15, but just before the finish line he slows down, to be able to start the race tomorrow on the medium compound. Both Hamilton and Bottas improve their times, taking the first to places. Max finishes the session in fourth position. Sergio Pérez, Nico Hülkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi form the second group of dropouts.

At the start of the third and final part of qualifying it is Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Torro Rosso who will compete for pole position. After the first runs it is Max Verstappen who sets the fastest time and the only on in the 1:14’s. The top six, formed by Leclerc, Vettel, Hamilton, Albon and Bottas, is within half a second, making for an exciting final part of qualifying.

Charles Leclerc does not improve in his last quick lap and stays behind Max. After this it goes pretty wrong for Valtteri Bottas, who loses control in the final turn. The accident causes a yellow flag, so the remaining drivers have to lift off.  From the moment pole position is secured for Max, taking his second pole position this year. Leclerc, Vettel, Hamilton, Albon and Bottas complete the top six.

Mexican GP contest: win an orange Max Verstappen t-shirt and driver cap!

Results qualifying Mexico: