Horner defends Verstappen: "Even Hamilton has not slowed down" – F1 Team – Formula 1

Red Bull confirmed itself in pole position in Mexico after Daniel Ricciardo's paw from 12 months ago, but the second start at the stake of Max Verstappen in career after that obtained in Budapest could be distorted by a penalty to be discounted on the starting grid. The first of the top drivers to launch for the second run was Alexander Albon, behind him was Valtteri Bottas ahead of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

The Finnish Mercedes driver is gone against the barriers coming out of the last corner, the two Ferrari drivers lifted their feet (Charles Leclerc was actually already aware of the fact that he had ruined the lap at the entrance to the stadium), while Max Verstappen certainly kept his foot down by lowering the time obtained in the first run, which would have been the pole position in any case. To clarify the conduct of Lewis Hamilton, who in the post-qualification said he had raised his foot once he noticed the accident W10 twin.

Chris Horner, Red Bull team principal, commented on the episode to Sky Sports F1 Uk: "There were no yellow lights in that sector during the last run. Max Verstappen completed the tour because there were no reports on the matter, as did Lewis Hamilton. We had a great day, it is incredible for us to hit the pole position and Alexander Albon also defended himself well. " Actually from the images we can clearly see a yellow flag waved in front of the crashed car of Valtteri Bottas, which is very difficult not to notice. The light signal at the entrance of the last curve, on the other hand, is actually "off".

Now the Race Direction will have to examine the incident, Verstappen's pole position could be inherited by Charles Leclerc with a first row all Ferrari, not necessarily good news in light of the long straight leading to the first variant. To be able to exonerate Max Verstappen there is the evidence of a last ‘yellow’ mini-sector, proof of the fact that the Dutchman raised his foot on the accelerator in the final meters.