Verstappen demotion disappointing – Horner

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says it is a “great shame” Max Verstappen has lost pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix. Verstappen looked to have put himself in the perfect position to win a third straight Mexican GP after clinching pole position in Saturday’s qualifying, beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.266 seconds. However, the 22-year-old failed to slow down for yellow caution flags after a crash by Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and the incident was investigated by the stewards after Q3. After looking at the footage, the decision was made to hand the Dutchman a three-place grid penalty, which has seen him drop from pole position to fourth on the grid for the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. Speaking about the decision, Horner told Verstappen’s website: “It is a great shame that Max has lost pole position and will now start from fourth place on the grid following a penalty for being found to not slow sufficiently following Bottas’ incident. “We have some strong grid positions for the grand prix and track position is important here because it’s very difficult to overtake and follow another car at this circuit. Now let’s see what tomorrow brings.” Leclerc will start Sunday’s race from pole, ahead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in third.