Verstappen: This line was missing from my list

By completing the 4,381 km of the Magyar turnstile in 1’14”572, Max Verstappen became the 100th pole-sitter in history. Because with his seven Grand Prix victories, the leader Red Bull had never before tasted the joys of starting at the front of the grid. This will be done on Sunday during the Hungarian Grand Prix after a well-conducted qualifying session. 

The Dutchman first took provisional pole during his first attempt in Q3 before shaving off three more tenths to snatch first place from Valtteri Bottas of 15 small thousandths. 

« I am very happy, now we will have to transform the test on Sunday into a race, confided Verstappen as soon as he got out of the car to the cheers of the many Dutch fans who made the trip to the Hungaroring. It’s an important step in my career and a great moment for the team. 

This line was missing from my list. The car has been performing well since the start of the weekend but you know that it is always very close in qualifying because our rivals unlock a little more engine power than us. We were on the pace from the start and the car continued to improve. I had nothing to report: everything was fine ». 

Even if he is not yet 22, Verstappen does not eclipse the shelves Sebastian Vettel, youngest pole sitter in history with Toro Rosso in 2008 at Monza. The German was 21 years and 72 days old.

The brilliant Batavian had not come close to stealing this honor from him in Mexico last year but he had the pain of seeing his then teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, blowing his pole for nothing. Eliminated in Q1 this Saturday at the Hungaroring, the Australian Renault perhaps regrets more than ever no longer defending the colors of Milton Keynes.

A few minutes after digesting his first career pole, Verstappen downplayed the significance of the event at a press conference.  

« For me it didn't matter that much, I wasn't fixated on it, he said. I knew it was only a matter of time. The good news is you'll stop asking me when I'm going to do it ».

As sharp on the wheel as on the microphone, the Max.