---
title: "Verstappen happy to out-qualify teammate"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/07/09/verstappen-happy-qualify-teammate/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "Uncategorised"
published: "2016-07-09T15:56:40Z"
modified: "2016-07-09T15:56:40Z"
---

# Verstappen happy to out-qualify teammate

Max Verstappen says it’s a boost to have gotten the better of his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in qualifying for the first time this season.

The Dutch driver qualified an impressive third on the grid behind the two Mercedes, beating the Australian by three-tenths.

Before this weekend, Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner identified qualifying as an area to improve over the coming races; now improved Verstappen is looking for a strong result.

“It’s good to be in front \[of Ricciardo\],” he said after qualifying. “Every teammate wants that. In terms \[of it being\] a boost I don’t see the mental side in it.

“I just try to do my best and that’s it. We go to the race and try to score a lot of points and get on the podium.

![Charles Coates/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/07/545685468.jpg)“In terms of learning the car, I’m definitely still improving but everybody is doing even though when you’re jumping in in the season it’s not easiest. But I think I have shown I can handle it quite well.”

The 18-year-old identifies a podium as a realistic target on race day, having qualified almost a second slower than the two Mercedes, Verstappen believes the Silver Arrows are that bit too quick to challenge.

“I think if I keep my position I will be very happy because Mercedes are a bit too strong first but we’ll try to keep up,” he added.

“Long run was good so hopefully we can do the same, even better in the race and score some good points for the team and catch up to Ferrari in the championship.”