Find the reactions of the pilots at the end of the qualifying session of the Grand Prix of Great Britain, dominated by Max Verstappen in front of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen (PBS / RED Bull Racing) – pole position
“It was complicated with the wind, which evolved between Q1, Q2 and Q3. These cars are very sensitive to the wind. I tried to put out to end, and I had a sufficient turn. This track is exceptional with all these turns that you can go all over. You have to be very committed. We are quite fast in a straight line with our settings, suddenly it is not easy to manage the car in fast turns. We will see what the race will give, there could be rain. I am happy with my qualifications. It is very exciting for the race of tomorrow (Sunday). We’re going to fight to stay in front of the McLaren. »»
Oscar Piastri (Aus / McLaren) – 2nd
“I was happy with my first round in Q3, I was wondering how to do better, and I missed the second. It has been very tight since the start of the weekend. The team has done a very good job, but there are still places where we are not the fastest. It should be a great race. I was probably a little too careful on my second round, and the differences are very weak in the end. I am still satisfied. The race will be fun, a match between several pilots, it will happen. »»
Land Norris (GBR / McLaren) – 3rd
“It remains a good qualifying session, even if I am not happy to be third. Max Verstappen did a very good job. It’s very fast here, very pleasant to drive, it was an interesting session. In Q1, it was very tight, there was little right to make mistakes. It was difficult, especially with the wind, a few drops of rain. I think the race will be fun, a great battle between the three of us, and perhaps also the Ferrari and George Russell. I look forward to it. »»
George Russell (GBR / Mercedes) – 4th
“I am very happy because we were late all weekend. I did not expect to fight for a good position, especially with the power of the Ferrari, and we always know that the McLaren will be there. In the last lap, we really got the hair of the beast and we were super strong. It is a good result. I think our recent performance shows that we will probably not be the strongest tomorrow (Sunday) in the race, but it is a little cooler and that is good news for us. It can turn in all directions. You have to be vigilant and perhaps take a podium in case of grabuge in front. »»
Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Ferrari) – 5th
“Rather correct qualifications. The weekend has been generally good so far. The tour was correct at the end, but I wasted time in the last turn, and that would have put me on the front line or third. In Q3, Red Bull’s second attempt always comes out of nowhere and Max Verstappen is always fast. It is not a surprise. But we are on the razor thread, and apart from that I pulled the maximum that I could. I feel much better in the car this weekend. I clearly feel more comfortable with the settings and the balance of the car. This circuit is incredible, the public is fantastic, but we still need a little more, a tenth performance in the car to be closer to the best. »»
Pierre Gasly (Fra / Alpine) – 10th
“It’s unreal to have reached the top 10. All weekend was very complicated, we had to think about understanding what was going on with the car, and we thought before the qualification that we were going to be eliminated after the Q1. We made some changes, we focused on the details and we put everything end to end when it counted. Honestly, I’m very happy for the whole team. We managed to slip into Q2 with 15th place in Q1, we did a very good tour in Q2 to reach the Q3, and the same in Q3 so I am very happy with the reversal of the situation. »»
Isack Hadjar (Fra / Racing Bulls) – 13th
“It’s weird, we were very competitive in Q1 and during the first attempt at Q2, but I was quickly on the verge of what we could do, and the others continued in the session so it’s a bit strange. I was disturbed by the wind on one of my towers but it did not count, so I did not expect that. It will be complicated for the race. On a tour, we are not special so on long relays it will be complicated. »»
Esteban Ocon (de / haas) – 15th
“We had bad communication at turn 3 and I did all my turn with a dish on my tire. It was not ideal for this last attempt, but it’s like that. We will regroup and focus on tomorrow (Sunday). No, I didn’t have the pace to reach Q3. But the points, that’s the goal, we want to fight for the points and have a better pace so we will give everything to get there tomorrow (Sunday). »»
Sources: official interviews Formula 1, Canal+, Sky Sports, BBC
