Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

The underlying reasons why Russell won't be alarmed yet by Antonelli's start to F1 2026 

Feature
Formula 1
Miami GP
The underlying reasons why Russell won't be alarmed yet by Antonelli's start to F1 2026 

GRD battles from the back for Fun Cup glory at Snetterton

National
GRD battles from the back for Fun Cup glory at Snetterton

How victory in Portugal could have a bearing on Hyundai’s WRC future plans

Feature
WRC
Rally Portugal
How victory in Portugal could have a bearing on Hyundai’s WRC future plans

Why Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may still host a grand prix in F1 2026

Formula 1
Why Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may still host a grand prix in F1 2026

Red Bull enjoyed a "step forward" at Miami GP but still behind F1's best

Formula 1
Red Bull enjoyed a "step forward" at Miami GP but still behind F1's best

What would you like to ask Valtteri Bottas?

Formula 1
Canadian GP
What would you like to ask Valtteri Bottas?

Why WEC is in a great place heading into the Le Mans 24 Hours

Feature
WEC
Spa
Why WEC is in a great place heading into the Le Mans 24 Hours

Verstappen’s biggest rivals in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours

NLS
Verstappen’s biggest rivals in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours

Indian GP qualifying quotes: McLaren

Sergio Perez - 9th: "Ninth was probably the best we could have achieved this afternoon. It was always going to be difficult to beat Fernando [Alonso], but I might have been able to achieve it if I'd done one more lap on the Prime. But we need to look after the tyres for tomorrow, so that wouldn't have been the right thing to do

"Clearly, we're on a different strategy to most of the other cars, so it'll be very interesting to see what we can do on the Prime tomorrow. There are four other cars inside the top 10 starting on the Prime, so we'll be looking to take the advantage if the Option-runners pit during the early laps tomorrow.

"I think we have a good chance in the race. Our long-run pace looks pretty strong - so, with a good strategy, I think we can do well tomorrow."

Jenson Button - 10th: "Running the Prime in Q3 was probably the best strategy call for the race. Of course, that hurt, because my heart was telling me that I ought to be out there [in Q3] on the Option.

"Our qualifying runs on the Option looked really good - I was quickest in Q1 - but the Prime tyre didn't work as well for us. I found it more difficult because I couldn't get any temperature into the tyre, so I was about half a second off in the first sector on my run in Q3.

"Still, running the Prime was probably the right thing to do, and I'm sure it's the best tyre for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to an exciting, eventful and unpredictable race."

Martin Whitmarsh: "Qualifying today was clearly dominated by the teams' tyre considerations for the race tomorrow.

"It's always tempting to take a short-term view - if we'd gone for the Option tyre in Q3, we could potentially have been halfway up the top 10 - but I don't think we'd be headed into tomorrow's race feeling comfortable had we done that.

"Fundamentally, it was about doing the best thing for the race tomorrow. And, if the experience of the last few days is borne out tomorrow, then we're probably happy that we're not starting the race on the Option.

"For tomorrow, we've very much focused on putting ourselves in the best possible position for the race. We've got two very good racers, both of whom have shown impressive flashes of speed this weekend, so I think we're looking at a competitive showing tomorrow."

Previous article Indian GP: Jenson Button says McLaren tyre strategy 'hurts'
Next article Indian GP qualifying quotes: Sauber

Top Comments