Christian Horner said Max Verstappen was denied pole position for the British Grand Prix by a spin from his title rival Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen was the favourite to go quickest in qualifying after looking a cut above the rest in FP3 and the first parts of the session. But in the end Carlos Sainz was the one to secure pole, going fastest on a Saturday for the first time in his Formula 1 career.
It means advantage Ferrari for the race, as Verstappen had to settle for second while Leclerc is third ahead of the other Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. Sainz is a popular pole starter, having never achieved such a result before, but Horner believes Verstappen would have been the one starting from the front had it not been for some bad luck.
As he was starting his final flying lap, the Dutchman was forced to ease off the throttle slightly as yellow flags were waved in sector one as Leclerc had a small spin while gunning for pole himself. Reacting to that, Horner told Sky Sports F1: "Charles had what looked like a half-spin, Max lifted for the yellow flag and I think gave up about three or four tenths for it.
"But congratulations to Carlos – he has always been a demon in the wet since he was a junior for us, he was always very strong in these conditions. Congratulations to him, and we're just pleased to be up there on the front row with Checo on the second row as well."
Verstappen was perhaps lucky to even still be in the running at that point, having almost crashed earlier in the rain-soaked session. His Red Bull span out as he tried to push to the limit, but the Dutchman reacted quickly and expertly to regain control of his car and get it pointing in the right direction again with apparent ease.
On that heart-in-mouth incident, Horner added: "He had one moment where he did a one-eighty, and he only lost two seconds as he crossed the line, that was the ridiculous thing about it. It was all pretty in control, but it wasn't part of the plan. Max always likes to find the limit, it's just a shame he didn't get that last lap. But to still end up on the front row after a tricky session like that is a good place to be.
"I think both guys did a great job. We were unfortunate with the yellow flag – one of those things – but it's going to make an interesting race. I think everybody had a long run [in practice] of about four laps, so it's a bit of an unknown. But with Checo in there as well, there are so many dynamics to it.
"If it's a straight dry race, then strategy and tyre degradation will be crucial. This year we have seen these cars can follow closer, which is going to be crucial through Becketts, but of course the beautiful British summer might just continue tomorrow as well. My forecast would be a scorching 20 degrees, but you never know – it can change so quickly."
