BARCELONA, Spain — Max Verstappen has joked that he’ll attempt to placed on a present for the cameras into Flip 1 in opposition to the dominant McLarens on the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen certified as better of the remainder in Barcelona behind the untouchable McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Most within the paddock anticipate McLaren to vanish up the highway on Sunday.
“I feel it is time to shine in T1,” Verstappen joked within the press convention after qualifying.
“Make it three-wide for the images, why not?”
Extra significantly, he then added: “It is going to be robust, I feel. Future wasn’t dangerous however when you take a look at the distinction in the present day I feel it will likely be actually, actually robust. However that does not imply we aren’t going to strive.”
He added: “It is not all concerning the begin in Flip 1, it is advisable be good on tyres, it is a lengthy race. Rather a lot can occur. I am going to simply attempt to maximise what I’ve bought.”
Verstappen famously turned F1’s youngest ever winner on the Barcelona circuit in 2016 when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed out on the opening lap of their all-conquering Mercedes vehicles.
Spain’s circuit has a future from the grid all the way down to Flip 1 however there are a number of different alternatives across the lap the place drivers can get shut to one another.
With Piastri and Norris separated by simply three factors within the drivers’ championship and Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell beginning on the second row, there may be loads of jeopardy for the papaya vehicles.
As has been the case all season, McLaren boss Andrea Stella mentioned he trusts the group’s drivers to race pretty and sensibly regardless of the stakes.
“We have now our racing method which is a course of between Lando and Oscar that has been occurring for months,” Stella advised Sky Sports activities after qualifying.
“It is primarily based on ideas however with regards to racing in opposition to your team-mate, or every other automotive, you possibly can’t be too prescriptive.
“We belief our drivers. That is a very powerful issue. We have now nice conversations always.
“I am positive it will likely be an thrilling, honest battle till the top of the championship.”