Verstappen makes ominous claim after scoring Austria pole

Max Verstappen has ominously claimed qualifying is not a Red Bull strength this year despite taking pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix.

F1's reigning champion will start Saturday's sprint from the front of the grid after narrowly fending off Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, with the former just 0.029secs adrift.

After securing pole, Verstappen has now expressed confidence his Red Bull will only get stronger as the weekend progresses.

"We have a great car," said Verstappen. "Let's say that qualifying is not our strongest point so I just hope to have a clean turn one, a good getaway and from there onward, anything can happen.

"But I feel confident with the car we have."

Verstappen - Mistakes 'easy' in Austria

Verstappen's route to pole position was aided by the crashes of Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in Q3 that both caused red-flag stoppages.

Speaking of the disruptions, the Red Bull driver added: "It was a very long wait between the two runs and that is never great. Once you are in a rhythm it is just nice to keep on going.

"Also, the track temperature was dropping, the wind was changing a little bit but at the end, it was a very tight qualifying and it is a really challenging track as well to get everything right.

"There are not that many corners but the corners you have are tricky and it is easy to make a mistake.

"Of course, I am very happy with pole but I also know that tomorrow and Sunday you can get the points."

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