Max Verstappen: "It was a very strong Qualifying from our side, and a top-three result is something we can be quite happy with.

"We made some nice improvements to the setup and got the car into a good window. From Q1 through to Q3, we were able to build with each run and stay competitive at the front throughout.

We ended up pretty close to Pole and only really lost out in the final sector, but we'll see what we can do from the second row tomorrow. From the practice sessions, we know that tyre life is going to be crucial and something we need to stay on top of if we want to fight with our rivals.

Overtaking opportunities are hard to come by here and passing won't be easy, so getting the strategy right will be important. If we do that, I think we have a good car for the race."

Liam Lawson: "We looked competitive at the start of Qualifying, so it would have been nice to be fighting a little further up the order, but unfortunately Q3 did not quite come together for us. As the session progressed, everyone around us seemed to find a bit more lap time, whereas we were not able to make the same step.

I am happy with the progress we have made compared to where we were earlier in the week, and I am feeling more comfortable in the car every time I get behind the wheel. There are still a few things for us to learn and take into tomorrow, but overall it has been a positive step forward.

It is a difficult track to overtake on and a place where pushing the limits is always a challenge, so making up positions will not be easy unless opportunities come our way. The car has looked quick all weekend, though, and I am excited for the race. Hopefully we can put ourselves in the mix and move forward tomorrow."

Laurent Mekies: "A really strong result for the whole Team today on such a challenging track, especially with the gaps at the front being so incredibly tight. Max was at the top of his game as always. He was competitive throughout Qualifying, fastest in Q2 by just a few hundredths and right in the fight for pole until the very last moment. Naturally, there is some disappointment when you miss out on the front row by such a small margin, but Max delivered another exceptional performance and it was also very encouraging to see Liam right in the mix, only a few tenths away.

This is an extremely demanding circuit, with a combination of low-speed and high-speed corners, aggressive kerbs and walls that leave very little room for error. To see both drivers able to push with confidence in these conditions is a good indication of the progress with the underlying pace of the car and a deserved reward for all the hard work from everyone back in Milton Keynes.

Tomorrow presents a different challenge. The gap between the top four teams is extremely small, so hopefully we can be right in the fight once again. Strategy will play an important role, particularly depending on how difficult overtaking proves to be, and we will need to stay flexible in what could be an unpredictable race. With two cars in the mix and every opportunity to be in the podium fight, we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve tomorrow."