0
Valtteri Bottas says it's a shame to miss out on his fifth pole position of the season by such a small margin, as he was pipped by Max Verstappen by just 0.018s.
The Finn will start on the front row alongside the Dutchman as he goes in search of his first win of the season since Baku.
With mixed conditions hitting the Hungaroring on Friday, it made the weekend more difficult for Bottas, however he found himself becoming more adjusted to the circuit as qualifying played out.
"It's not been the easiest of weekends so far, there was very limited running in practice two so this morning was very important," said the Mercedes driver.
"It was tricky to find the rhythm but it was getting better and better and I was getting confidence in the car. In qualifying, I was learning the track more and more and it started to feel nice in Q3.
"It's a shame to miss pole by such a small margin but congratulations to Max and Red Bull. They've been strong all weekend."
Red Bull has won two out of the last three races, leading to suggestions that the energy drink squad could have a play in the world championship in the second half of the season.
Bottas didn't deny that Verstappen could become a factor in the fight for the championship, despite being 63 points down on championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
"It always depends on the track and races, but if you look at the last five races, Red Bull has been the ones who have been improving the most and closing the gap. Today they qualified on pole so for sure they're doing things right.
"It means that we have to do things right and I'm sure that Ferrari isn't standing still either, it was a tricky track for them but we're going to see a strong performance from them as well."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
134,147 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
612,075 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply