There were a lot of quotes from front running drivers who could have provided the headlines at Silverstone on Saturday night, and they were all on the same theme.
The British Grand Prix qualifiers offered a thrilling view, with six drivers in the mix for pole positions, a positive surprise in itself. Heading for Q3, it felt like one of the five, two McLarens, two Ferraris, or Max Verstappen, but George Russell joined the party where Mercedes was expected to be part of the weekend, and at the end he nearly stopped the shock.
Russell ultimately came third and the McLaren pair didn’t improve, so it seemed he was proud of the old Ferrari Paul’s position on Lewis Hamilton’s path until he turned his 16th time at the Veil.
So it became clear how much time unfolds a little after Verstappen’s knee, with two purple sectors coming close to a quarter second, and the defending champion following the 0.103 song.
“The reason we never rule out Max is because he’s Max Verstappen and it would be very naive to think Max isn’t in the game,” said Andrea Stella, principal of the McLaren team. “I think he gave a little more evidence today about how fast he is and how he can make the most of his potential.
“We’re not surprised at Max because Red Bull can do very well on this kind of track with a fast, smooth circuit. Red Bull isn’t surprising. It looks like the lap time he can do on Friday – it was highly fueled and competitive.
We’ve certainly heard it, but this is not just the biggest Verstappen appreciation part. It’s a thriller work. Certainly, it can age like milk, but for now, lace has all the right ingredients to deliver us in classics.
Less than a quarter second between all six shows wasn’t the only Verstappen in the game, but it wasn’t anyone’s game either.
There are many candidates in the narrow margin. This is just as fun for the driver as the fans. Sam Bloxham/Getty Images
“Through the entire Q1, Q2 and Q3 qualifications, it’s difficult to handle there with the wind,” Verstappen said of the fight for Paul. “It was all moving around a bit, it was a bit different, and with these cars, it’s very sensitive.
“So I was just trying to clean it up throughout the qualifying round, and that final lap was enough. But this is a proper track and in qualifying when you have to get flat on all these corners.
“We’re very quick in straights. Of course, it’s not that easy in high-speed corners. But today we did. Of course we have to wait and see what we’ll do if there’s a little rain tomorrow. But I’m happy with the qualifying round. That’s a big boost for the team as well.
Usually, tough fights lead to happy pole sitters, but those who just missed are less enthusiastic. Instead, even the McLaren drivers are excited about their position in the middle of the scrap.
“I think tomorrow will be fun,” Rand Norris said. “I think it’s going to be a good fight between the three of us. I think maybe, along with Lewis, Charles (Leclair) is behind, and George (Russell) is behind, which will be an interesting Sunday.
“It’s going to be a fun race,” agreed Oscar Piastri. “We had a very even match between Max, Ferrari, and we saw George there last time, and I think tomorrow will be a pretty evenly paced race.
Russell is a wild card in the pack as Mercedes struggled to hit the highs expected for it until it delivered its final Q3 lap in cooler temperatures on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether race trim under similar conditions will provide a more competitive outing, but like last year, there is also a threat of rain.
“The forecasts for tomorrow are mixed together and may offer us some opportunities,” Russell said. “We know how variable the weather is and we hope that the long-term pace will be stronger than we saw on Friday.
“No matter the situation, I’m ready to hand it all out at my home race and do a show in front of this incredible British crowd.”
Russell has shots to make the crowds of large homes happy, but not just people who can. Alastair Staley/Getty Images
Crowds have increased their sense of opportunity in the past, with six-figure attendees often speaking up, especially when home drivers are working well. If any of them wins, they must do so from the third, fourth or fifth, and overcome the defending champion and championship leader.
It’s a packed house and Verstappen has the best seats for the light out, but how many threats does he know?
“Of course I’m behind everyone, so I have to look behind me and see what happens,” Verstappen said. “But certainly, I can see the right fight. Even on the long run, there were a lot of fast cars. Even in qualifying, it was all very nervous.
“Now we’re going to race. We’ll have fun and try our best to do our best.”