A furious Max Verstappen had to abort his final run in qualifying for the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explaining it was due to a fuel sample needing to be taken after the session.
Verstappen was 0.9s up on Charles Leclerc’s eventual pole position time, but was ordered into the pits by Red Bull, as he would now have had one litre of fuel remain if he had completing his final run.
“I think it was a miscalculation on our side,” Horner told Viaplay.
“I think we fuel the car for five laps and because the track was ramping up so quick we got an extra lap so he [Verstappen] was perfectly placed.
“But obviously it’s critical to give the fuel sample, so the hardest call in the world when you’re two and a half seconds up on his lap time. I think we just made it harder for ourselves by qualifying in P8.
“Obviously if you don’t give the [fuel] sample you’re starting from the pit lane. So frustrating but great pace in the car and phenomenal performance by Checo [Perez].
“Just to miss out by two hundreds was really tight for him.
If Verstappen was unable to provide the FIA with the required sample of fuel after qualifying, he could have had to start the race from the back of the grid due to disqualification from the session.
Verstappen angry with Red Bull mistake
Verstappen also confirmed the fuel issue, which left him seething at the end of qualifying as he made his way back into the pits.
“What the f***. What the f*** are you guys saying?” Verstappen shouted on team radio.
“Unbelievable mate, I don’t get it. What the f*** is this about?”
Nevertheless, Verstappen, who is odds on to take the 2022 Drivers’ Championship will start from eighth on the grid at Marina Bay.
