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Horner rues missing out on front row start

Published on 24 Mar 2018 11:16
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By: Fergal Walsh

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that the team could have qualified on the front row for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. The energy drink team had to settle for fourth and fifth, with Max Verstappen getting the better of Daniel Ricciardo.

However, Ricciardo was stung with a 3-place grid penalty on Friday, which means he will start the race eighth on the grid. Verstappen's lap was seven-tenths of a second down on Lewis Hamilton, who took pole for tomorrow's race.

Horner says that Verstappen made a slight mistake on his lap at Turn 13, which may well have cost the team a front row start. The Milton Keynes outfit will also be starting the Grand Prix on a different compound to those around them, which Horner hopes will aid their strategy.

"After the rain this morning we had a dry qualifying, and it was certainly very tight between ourselves and the Ferraris. Unfortunately Max on his last lap made a small mistake at turn 13 that cost him a couple of tenths otherwise the front row was potentially achievable today.

"Daniel also did not have a perfect Q3, finishing in P5 and unfortunately with the penalty he incurred yesterday will be starting in P8. We’ve elected to start on a different tyre strategy to our competitors and hopefully that will provide different options for tomorrow."

Fergal Walsh

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

But it was nevertheless a good result for them. Remember, RB tend to be pretty mediocre at season starts, especially now during the hybrid era. In that regard, this is some really good stuff for them. If Bottas doesnt catch up to Hammy, they and Ferrari'll be chomping on Hammy's bits.

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Mar 24 2018 - 16:05

F1 News Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Lewis Hamilton

Replies (3)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
But it was nevertheless a good result for them. Remember, RB tend to be pretty mediocre at season starts, especially now during the hybrid era. In that regard, this is some really good stuff for them. If Bottas doesnt catch up to Hammy, they and Ferrari'll be chomping on Hammy's bits.
- + 1
- Mar 24 2018 - 16:05
boudy

Posts: 1,168
Agree. However being so close to p2 is frustrating. The interesting thing is that Ferrari wasn't able to produce an polesetting lap. This might be a classic F1 season.... really enjoying the drama already... Hamilton versus vettel in the press conference... Great stuff.
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- Mar 24 2018 - 20:09
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  They were, up until Hamilton smashed it. I'd say this season could potentially be one of the best we've seen in many years. I remember 2016 already as a pretty decent season, but with a field this tight it looks set for gold. What will make or break this season mostly for me is whether Ferrari and RB will be able to keep pressure up on Merc'. We had a good midfield already in 2017 and 2016, and the midfield hasnt exactly worsened since, so if we get a good top field to boot, thats just so much better!
  + 0
  
  Mar 24 2018 - 20:21