Grip levels left Verstappen 'confused' in qualifying
Max Verstappen found qualifying for the Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix "confusing" as changing grip levels meant he ended up setting his fastest time in Q1.
Drivers have been struggling with grip levels at Portimao throughout the race weekend so far due to a combination of the recently resurfaced track and the hardest possible tyre selection.
Verstappen was able to qualify third for Red Bull on Saturday, finishing just 0.252 seconds off the pole position time of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
But the Dutchman set his best time of qualifying in Q1, going 0.025 seconds faster than on his Q3 lap, as he struggled for grip amid minimal track evolution or improvement.
"Already the whole weekend has been really tricky with getting the tyres to work," Verstappen said. "Besides the tyres, the Tarmac is slippery. [There is] just one line you can take.
"Overall, still good of course to be third, but a bit confusing throughout qualifying. I did my fastest lap time in Q1, and after that I couldn't replicate it, just because I didn't have the same grip.
"Of course the time runs down in Q2 and Q3, you have less time to do your laps. It seemed like it was a bit more difficult for us to get the tyres in a better window, even though I think in Q3 to Q2, it felt a bit better on let's say the one timed lap, on the very first timed lap.
"It was better, but for me, not very enjoyable to drive at the moment with the tyres and grip on the track.
"I was here in January and I thought it was going to be amazing to drive a Formula 1 car, the grip we have. For me personally, you can't push. You're just driving on ice. It's a bit of a shame."
Verstappen appeared to be in contention for pole position ahead of the final runs in Q3 as both Mercedes drivers opted to switch to medium tyres, with Hamilton improving to take pole ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.
It marked the second race in a row where Verstappen had looked closer to the Mercedes drivers in qualifying than at previous races, but he felt it was hard to judge if Red Bull had truly cut the gap.
"Again we were very close, [it's] just difficult to really judge again the performance because of the tyres and the grip," Verstappen said.
"I think we have to go to a track again where we have driven before, like the last few years, and see where we ware, because we have a bit more knowledge there.
"These kind of events are sometimes hit and miss. Sometimes you can do them better than others. But still, to be P3 and be quite close to them is a good achievement I think."
Bottas regrets doing single-lap run in Portimao qualifying
Vettel: Leclerc in a "different class" after another Q2 exit
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull
Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull
Marquez thanks Honda for “unrepeatable” MotoGP tenure following exit announcement
Marquez thanks Honda for “unrepeatable” MotoGP tenure following exit announcement Marquez thanks Honda for “unrepeatable” MotoGP tenure following exit announcement
Marc Marquez will leave Honda MotoGP team for Gresini Ducati
Marc Marquez will leave Honda MotoGP team for Gresini Ducati Marc Marquez will leave Honda MotoGP team for Gresini Ducati
What compels a MotoGP rider to return to something that almost killed him?
What compels a MotoGP rider to return to something that almost killed him? What compels a MotoGP rider to return to something that almost killed him?
F1 will avoid sunshine tyre tricks if tyre blanket ban happens
F1 will avoid sunshine tyre tricks if tyre blanket ban happens F1 will avoid sunshine tyre tricks if tyre blanket ban happens
How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival
How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.