"Different mode" caused Verstappen F1 German GP qualifying problem

Verstappen reported a power loss during the second qualifying segment at Hockenheim while making his first run, having opted to take the medium tyre and lock it in as his starting compound for a dry race.

But Verstappen's problem meant he had to abort the run and return to the track on the soft compound tyre, before progressing into Q3 and qualifying second between Mercedes pairing Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas.

"I tried a different mode for that run but as soon as I crossed the start/finish line, somehow it just cut out, I lost a bit of power and then your lap is ruined, so I backed off," Verstappen said when asked about his Q2 problem.

"I went into the [pit]boxes, just to check everything, and we went out again. Of course, I had to use the other tyres, which was a little bit of a shame because I wanted to try and do the same [starting compound] like the other guys.

"But that's how it is and we just have to live with that. The second run in Q2 and then Q3 there was no problem."

Verstappen also reported a turbo lag-like problem in the opening segment of qualifying, describing it as similar to the issue that had held him back at Silverstone.

Honda had subsequently identified the problem as a calibration issue related to faster throttle application.

"I don't know if it's exactly the same but, in the car, it feels pretty similar," Verstappen said.

"They're all working hard, of course, to try and get on top of it. "I think in Q3, honestly, it was fine, and that's when it matters."

Verstappen was 0.346s off Hamilton's pole position and admitted the problems that sidelined the two Ferraris were fortunate for his qualifying result.

"I think from Q1 to Q3, I felt like I had a bit of a loss of grip because in Q1 you always take your margins, but somehow in Q3 I just never really had the grip like I had in Q1," said Verstappen.

"Of course, it was getting warmer, it seemed like it was hurting me maybe even more at the time.

"Still, to be second for this race I think is good, happy about that."

Team-mate Gasly, who qualified fourth, admitted he experienced a turbo lag issue like Verstappen.

Gasly added: "It is one of the things we are trying to solve. I haven't been into all the details of why we have it this weekend but it is something we are trying to improve."