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Max Verstappen expressed his delight after setting the eighth fastest time during qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix, despite missing the bulk of Friday's second practice session due to a crash.
Verstappen was fastest in the first 90 minute outing but slid into the wall exiting the Foro Sol Stadium during the early stages of the second session and was forced to watch from the side lines.
Verstappen nonetheless recovered from the lost track time and progressed through to Q3, where he edged out the Force India drivers to qualify in eighth position.
"It was very positive, especially after missing second practice and some little struggles in the third session to set up the car properly," he said.
"[It was] a good job as a team as in qualifying [the car] was more to my liking.
"It was very close to get into Q3 and to beat the Force Indias is very positive for us. I think the lap time I did was quite on the limit."
Verstappen is nevertheless wary that making progress during the race will be a challenge.
"It will be tricky as it's very slippery as if you go off line you lose grip and we will lose on the straights so hopefully we can do a good start."
