Verꦅstappen managed third in qualifying at Istanbul Park behind the two Mercedes drivers of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, but with 𓄧his main title rival serving a grid penalty for an engine change, he will start from second.

The Dutchman struggled for pace duri✨ng Friday practicꦑe, languishing six-tenths behind Hamilton in FP2.

Reflecting 🍸on qualifying, Verstappen was pleased with Red Bull’s turnaround from Friday.

“Yeah I mean of course qualifying in the beginning was quite tricky with the conditions but compared to yesterday we actually managed to turn it around quite well,” Verstappen🌺 said. “The laps, I think overall they were quite good even though the last lap we lost a bit down the straight, we have to look into that but there was not the lap time in it to fight for pole.

“Overall, I think quite a decent recovery compared to yesterday. Third is the maximum today and tomorrow lining up in second… let’s see whaಞt the weather will do overnight but overall I am pretty happy.”

Verstappen will go head-to-head with Bottas for the victory on Sunday, with Hamilton d⭕own in 11th.

The Red Bull driver is adamant tyre degradation will play a significant role in the grand prixღ.

“It should be a bit better,” Verstappen replied when aske♈💞d about his overnight set-up changes. “Let’s see how competitive we’re going to be in the race. Also tyre wear seems quite high around this track. At least now the track is a lot of fun to drive, especially also the long left-hander, Turn 8. We will find out tomorrow.”

Verstappen sits second in the drivers’ ch🧔ampionship going into the 🌊race, just two points behind Hamilton.