Horner sees opportunity: 'Max will be on the right-hand side of the grid tomorrow'.

The Red Bull Racing team boss also noted Pérez's help. "Checo played a key role today," he stated in the press release. "He did a great job of giving Max the tow and giving him the advantage of a gap. It probably cost Checo half a second, and he should have been higher than where he is now. So we're quite happy with where we finished."

Horner expects an exciting start with Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. "Max will be on the right side of the grid tomorrow and will hopefully get a tow in the first corner, so that will be an exciting start for what is basically qualifying. Bottas has been given an engine penalty, so we know he will be at the back of the grid on Sunday and we have to wait and see how the sprint race will go. When the championship is so tight and the wins so marginal, it's all about grabbing every point you can."

Verstappen stays ahead of Norris

Verstappen stayed just ahead of Lando Norris during qualifying. Daniel Ricciardo was also close to third place, but both McLaren drivers fell short of beating the world championship leader.