Christian Horner reveals critical Red Bull decision that almost cost Max Verstappen pole
04/19/2025 03:50 PM
Christian Horner has reflected on the risky decision to have Max Verstappen attempt two push laps in the final part of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after the Lando Norris-induced red flag stoppage. The McLaren driver's crash left just 8:32 on the clock, meaning it was a marginal choice between the two options available: one push lap or two. However, Red Bull opted to get a banker lap in, something that put Verstappen in a difficult position to best execute and take a superb pole position at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. "Coming into that quali off the back of FP3, it was all about who was going to be third," Horner told Sky Sports F1 . "And suddenly, Q1 Max went quickest, You think: 'Hang on, are McLaren sandbagging here?' "And then Q2 we were right there again. And then the unfortunate accident for Lando in Q3, there were only four cars with two new sets, which was the two McLarens, George and Max. "Thankfully, Lando was okay, but it left it right on the cusp - do you do two times, of which there was 25 seconds margin, or do you just hang in there and just do one? And we elected to do the two times, which puts you under pressure, because if there's any issue at all you've lost that margin. "What was super impressive for me, because you take the pit stop, you've got to carry the fuel. So he had six or seven kilos more fuel on that first lap, which he went quickest, put the pressure on the other guys, and then again, his last lap was outstanding. "To get that pole, second in the last three races is really rewarding." The Red Bull team principal revealed that Verstappen was part of the call to attempt the strategy, which ultimately paid dividends. The Dutchman beat Oscar Piastri to pole by just 10 milliseconds, a second brilliant qualifying lap in the past three rounds. "It ends up with it being a consultation," Horner explained. "So the strategist gives you the options, to say: 'Look, you got 25 seconds if you do a pit stop.' "So already, you know if there's a car in the pit lane or something, there's pressure, then as a team, you've got to make a decision, and obviously the driver has to buy into that, because it's quite rushed... going out doing a lap, driving flat out on the in lap, pit stop, and then go and do it again. "It's not the best build up to doing a quali lap, but, Max was up for it. He saw the benefit of getting a lap on the board. "We said: 'Look, if you're up on your lap, finish the lap because that will put the others under pressure, and, of course, if there's a red flag, you've got your lap in the bank.' "So that was what drove the decision-making process. A great call on the pit wall, with Max fully bought in and very well executed."
