McLaren claims they have ‘a lot of respect’ for Max Verstappen after the Dutchman secured pole for Austria Sprint 

McLaren will start the Austrian GP Sprint race from P2 and P3 after a strong qualifying.

McLaren claims they have ‘a lot of respect’ for Max Verstappen after the Dutchman secured pole for Austria Sprint 

Andrea Stella, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull Racing driver, Max Verstappen went fastest in the Sprint qualifying session to take pole position for the Austrian GP Sprint race. Following his brilliant performance around the Red Bull Ring, McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella has praised Verstappen, who edged the two McLarens to take the top spot on the front row.

McLaren continued their impressive run of form in Austria after a tricky sprint qualifying session. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will start in P2 and P3 respectively for the Sprint after a strong run from both drivers.

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Andrea Stella has hence said that Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been one of the most consistent forces on the grid. According to him, they have managed to capitalize on situations in which they were not necessarily dominant. Red Bull has been actively challenged by the likes of McLaren and Ferrari this campaign but has managed to outpace the two on several occasions despite challenging conditions.

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We certainly gave our best I think. In a way it was a tricky session, with yellow flags, traffic and Max always seems to put a lap together. We have a lot of respect for him and Red Bull.
Andrea Stella said in post Sprint qualifying interview

Stella said that McLaren gave their best during the sprint qualifying on Friday and will be looking to perform in the same manner for the sprint and the main race. As for Red Bull and Verstappen, the championship leaders will look to replicate their performances around Spielberg from the previous year in which they emerged victorious in amicable fashion.

Oscar Piastri appeared unsatisfied with last attempt in Austrian sprint quali

Oscar Piastri claimed that he could have done better around the last lap of SQ3 in Austria. Piastri was only three-tenths of a second slower than Max Verstappen, who took pole in Spielberg.

Oscar Piastri (via IMAGO)
Oscar Piastri (via IMAGO)
The position is quite good, but the last lap there was a couple of corners I could have done better. It's good to know where the pace is, after a tough weekend last weekend. The front wing is working well.
Oscar Piastri said post sprint qualifying in Austria

The Chinese Grand Prix sprint race winner said that the new front wing upgrade on the MCL38 worked as per the team’s expectations around Spielberg. However, Piastri also asserted that he could have done better around certain corners during the last lap, despite putting in a mighty performance around the challenging Red Bull Ring.

The papayas are currently third in the championship behind Red Bull and Ferrari but have been the more convincing force out of the two in the past couple of races. McLaren now heads into the tomorrow’s Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race with a convincing front-row start and will be looking to ooze out maximum results out of the MCL38.

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