Verstappen Claims Second in Montreal Qualifying, Tsunoda Faces Grid Penalty

MONTREAL – Qualifying for the montreal Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen clinch second place, while Yuki Tsunoda received a setback due to a penalty.

Tsunoda Penalized, Other Drivers Under Investigation

During qualifying, race management confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda would receive a ten-place grid penalty for disregarding a red flag in FT3, pushing him to the back of the starting grid.

Gabriel Bortoleto was also investigated for the same offense but was acquitted. Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon faced potential trouble after qualifying.

Hadjar allegedly impeded Carlos Sainz in Q1, and Ocon is said to have violated racing director instructions between curves 12 and 13.Investigations into both incidents are underway.

“If you arrive in Q1 and a guy in the middle of the route stands that ruins your qualifying completely,then your weekend is destroyed.”

Norris Disappointed with Qualifying Performance

Lando Norris, who finished P7, expressed disappointment, citing “a few big mistakes.” He mentioned touching the wall at the exit of curve 7 during his last lap.

“There were just a few big mistakes that were expensive for me,” said Norris, adding that McLaren wasn’t as quick as usual due to the track layout. He hopes for improvement in the race but acknowledges a podium might be challenging due to their current pace.

Piatri Pleased with Top 3 Finish

Oscar Piatri expressed satisfaction with his top 3 finish after struggling in training. “To be honest, I am quite satisfied at the moment after the training course,” he stated.

Max Verstappen, securing P2, felt positive about the car’s setup throughout the weekend. “I felt quite good all weekend. The car was actually in a good window,” he said, adding he was “very happy” with qualifying, tho he would have preferred pole position.

Sainz Blames Hadjar for Q1 Exit

Carlos Sainz criticized Isack Hadjar for his Q1 exit, stating, “If you arrive in Q1 and a guy in the middle of the route stands that ruins your qualifying completely, then your weekend is destroyed.”

Sainz,who finished P17,believed he should have been fighting in Q3 and the top 8. He estimated the incident cost him “three or four tenths,” which would have easily secured him a spot in Q2.

Red Bull “Satisfied” with P2

Helmut Marko emphasized Red Bull’s satisfaction with P2,noting Mercedes’ tire wear in long runs and referencing Verstappen’s previous success starting from P2. “We are satisfied,” Marko said.

Regarding tire strategy, Marko explained the decision to store both tire types due to temperature drops. “It was a very tight decision and we are lucky or we planned that we have both tire types,” he added, noting Verstappen’s fastest lap on the medium tire.