Hungarian GP: Max Verstappen elated with 'incredible' first F1 pole
F1's 100th polesitter talks through his lap on the SkyPad below
Sunday 4 August 2019 07:26, UK
An ecstatic Max Verstappen says it feels "incredible" to finally secure his first F1 pole after outpacing Mercedes in Hungarian GP qualifying.
Despite establishing himself as one of F1's best with seven race victories, Verstappen had never secured top spot in qualifying before producing a stonking lap at the Hungaroring to beat Valtteri Bottas by 0.018s.
Lewis Hamilton was third in the other Mercedes, two tenths off the pace.
"It's incredible," said a beaming Verstappen, who ended a 93-race wait. "This one was still missing, and you know it's always going to be hard in qualifying but we managed to do it. The car was flying and it was incredible."
Verstappen talked through his pole-winning lap on the SkyPad with Sky F1's Anthony Davidson in the paddock on Saturday evening in the video above.
"It's been a while - it's been long time actually but to get it on this course with low fuel and a lot of downforce, it's a great track to do it on," said the Dutchman.
It is also only Red Bull's fourth pole since securing their last title six years ago, and engine supplier Honda's first in well over a decade.
Verstappen was quick throughout qualifying, although Red Bull feared they'd be overtaken by Mercedes once they turned up their engines in Q3.
"Max was on fire this afternoon," Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky F1. "That last lap was stunning. It's fantastic for him to get his first pole."
Verstappen added: "I'm very happy to get my first pole position but also for the team, with how quickly we turned things around from the beginning of the year where we were clearly lacking. And now we are there."
Hamilton: Happy for Max
Hamilton made an error in the first sector on his critical Q3 lap, losing a couple of tenths, and was never able to make up that time as he admitted qualifying "got away from me".
But the Englishman, who has 87 poles, did congratulate Max, stating: "It's an incredible feeling to get your first pole so I'm really happy for him."
Hamilton also insisted that, despite the Budapest track's tight and twisty corners, he was still in a "good position" to extend his championship advantage.
"It was just a bit of a struggle from the beginning and it didn't really get any better. But we're still there in the fight and I'm always down for a fight," said Hamilton, who is 41 points ahead of Bottas and 63 ahead of Verstappen.
"There's a long way down to Turn One so it should be interesting. Hopefully we can give them a run for their money."
Sky Sports F1's Hungarian GP schedule
Sunday, August 4
8.55am: F3 Race Two (Simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
10.15am: F2 Race Two
10.30pm (Sky One): The F1 Show
11.40am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Hungarian GP: Pit Lane Live
1,30pm: Hungarian GP: On The Grid
2.10pm: THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX LIVE! (Simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4pm: Hungarian GP Paddock Live
5.30pm: Hungarian GP Highlights
6.30pm: Hungarian GP Best Bits
7pm: Hungarian GP Race Rerun
Don't miss the next instalment of F1 2019 at the Hungarian GP this weekend on Sky Sports F1 - the final race before the summer break. Find out how to watch all the 2019 season live.
