Horner Praises ‘Big Lap’ from Verstappen to Take ‘Hugely Important’ Suzuka Pole

Christian Horner feels both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez could be in contention for the race victory in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, with the two Oracle Red Bull Racing drivers set to start the eighteenth round of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship from first and fourth on the grid.

In what was another close battle at the front of the field with Scuderia Ferrari, Verstappen took his fifth pole position of the season, 0.010 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc and 0.057 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr.

Pérez, the winner of last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, was more than four-tenths of a second back as he struggled for pace compared to Verstappen, but Horner, the Team Principal at Red Bull, says the Mexican has been traditionally quicker in race conditions so could be in the fight at the front come Sunday afternoon alongside the Dutchman.

“It was a very close qualifying; Ferrari has been quick all season so we were not expecting them to be any different here,” said Horner.  “However, it was a big lap from Max and to secure pole here ahead of what looks like varying conditions tomorrow is hugely important.

“Sergio starts on the second row and always seems to race better than he qualifies, so we are looking forward to seeing what is to come from him tomorrow. The variable conditions could play into his hands and I think he will be in the mix, two Ferraris in a Red Bull sandwich!”

Horner was pleased that Verstappen escaped with nothing more than a reprimand for his incident at 130R with McLaren F1 Team’s Lando Norris, feeling the Dutchman did not expect the British racer to be attempting an overtake at that part of the circuit on an out-lap.

“With regards to the incident with Max, we are happy with the stewards findings,” he said.  “I don’t think Max was trying to block him, I just think he wasn’t expecting someone to come up behind like that and certainly not again when Lando did it on the final run!

“I don’t think there was any malice to it though, on either side. Plenty of racing to do tomorrow and we are looking forward to an action packed day here at Suzuka.”