F1: Max Verstappen Says Miami GP Win ‘Not Impossible’ Despite Starting Ninth

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen stated victory in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix is “not inconceivable” despite him starting ninth on the grid.

Red Bull’s Verstappen, who leads the driver’s championship after picking up two wins from opening four races of the season, was unable to get his late fast lap after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed and qualifying was cut short with one minute 36 left.

The Dutchman’s team-mate Sergio Perez, who is second in the standings just six points behind Verstappen, grabbed pole position after Saturday’s qualifying.

Despite the setback, Verstappen, who won the maiden Miami race last year, was not giving up hope of a strong result.

“A podium, for sure, but I want to win, so this is not great. (Winning is) not impossible, but it’s not going to be easy,” he stated.

While Leclerc’s crash didn’t assist, Verstappen had already made life troublesome for himself by not getting his full quick lap in earlier.

He stated he had solely himself accountable for having to tug out of his earlier lap after a mistake.

“I used to be a bit bit offline out of (flip) six into seven, I felt a little bit of understeer, and I simply couldn’t get it again on the road. So I aborted my lap. It was undoubtedly a mistake of mine making an attempt to place it on the restrict.

“Then in fact, you want a little bit of luck, hoping that there gained’t be a crimson flag. But in fact, whenever you attempt to suppose like that, then it occurs. So, it’s a bit upsetting,” he said.

But Verstappen, winner of the last two Formula One seasons, was keeping a sense of perspective.

“I’ve been in this position before, you have sometimes a few setbacks but that doesn’t mean that it carries on for the rest of the year or whatever.

“It can’t always be perfect, you hope that it’s going to be perfect. Last year we had a tough start, but you still need to nail a few bits yourself. Today was not great,” he stated.

Red Bull group principal Christian Horner questioned why the race was solely stopped 20 seconds after Leclerc’s crash.

“Had it been stopped instantly, you possibly can have presumably acquired round,” he told Sky Sports.

Horner has been happy to let Perez compete with Verstappen, with no heavy use of team orders as of yet, and the Mexican says he is relishing the inner-team competition.

“I’m enjoying it. I’m just thinking race by race. I will go out … for my team because they’ve done a tremendous job and see what happens tomorrow (Sunday),” he stated.

“It is a brand new alternative, ranging from pole. We are those which have (one thing) to lose, however we’ll simply go on the market and attempt to take pleasure in this superb crowd,” he stated.

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