In a surprising turn of events, Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Brazilian GP amidst a peculiar qualifying session. Despite an initially subpar lap, Verstappen’s early timing proved to be the fastest in Q3, granting him the coveted pole position. However, shortly after his lap, heavy rain and a storm hit the Interlagos circuit, leading to chaotic conditions.
Reflecting on the session, Verstappen commented, “We were uncertain about when the rain would arrive, although we anticipated its arrival. The weather was truly bizarre. I discussed this with Charles (Leclerc), and the lap felt terrible due to the rapidly changing winds and their intensified force. Consequently, we lost considerable lap time, and it became incredibly hectic on the final lap.”
Looking ahead to the race on Sunday, Verstappen anticipates that tire wear will have a significant impact. With many cars closely matched, an exhilarating race is expected, with tire management playing a crucial role.
“The competition is fierce, as demonstrated in qualifying, and I anticipate the same for the race. Considering the notorious tire degradation in this circuit, effective tire management will be key,” remarked Verstappen.