Verstappen: What happened in final sector unfortunate, cost me the lap

With Q3 entering its dying moments and all but Verstappen completing their final laps, it was apparent that the four-time Formula 1 Champion was the only one who had a chance at denying Russell pole.

But then Verstappen slowed down and had to settle for second revealing after that in parc ferme that he was compromised by Norris driving slowly ahead of him, causing him to lock up.

And while replay showed Norris was a bit far ahead, former F1 driver and 2009 Champion Jenson Button explained that the #4 McLaren had a considerable effect on the #1 RB21 while speaking to Sky Sports F1.

Button said: "With these cars, you get affected by a car a couple seconds up the road, which is a pain, but that’s why the move over immediately.

“I think he’s frustrated Lando didn’t move over before the chicane. He doesn’t have to within the regulations, but it obviously hurt his front end as he turned into the corner and put him offline."

Verstappen joked—if that could be considered a joke—that what Norris did was "noted" and "will be remembered as well" but was a bit more calmed down later when he commented on qualifying in Red Bull Racing's press release.

He said: "Overall it has been a very good Qualifying for us on this track, which has not always been the kindest to us. Second is a really good result for us, and I am very happy with the overall result and that we are on the front row.

"It could have been super close; George was very fast, and we were fighting for pole, but what happened in the final sector was unfortunate and basically cost me the lap.

"In general, I think we can be pleased with the result so far, and we have done a really good job with the setup of the car. Normally on high downforce tracks we aren't as good, so this is a great result for us. The car has been in a better window, and we have been good with the tyres and have been very solid all weekend.

"Hopefully the car has good race pace tomorrow; it is a long race around here, and we will do our best and get as many points as we can," Verstappen concluded.

Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies hailed the job Verstappen did as well as the effort the team put in to transform the RB21 to what is now a genuinely decent F1 piece of kit, in the hands of the Dutchman, that is.

"Once again, it was a very strong Qualifying from Max," the Frenchman commented. "It is good to get a front-row start on a track that historically hasn't been great for us.

"So my first thoughts are for everyone in Milton Keynes and at the track who have been working so hard to get that car back to life on this type of circuit, and that's exactly what has been done.

"Of course, we feel we would have been quite a bit closer to George without the last corner traffic, but that's life. We are not on pole today, but we have been able to fight at the top of the grid all weekend and have felt we are in the right rhythm with the McLarens and the Mercedes.

"It is going to be a tough battle with them and with the Ferraris tomorrow," Mekies concluded.