Max Verstappen has downplayed setting his pole position time in qualifyin👍g for the Mexican Grand Prix despite facing yellow flags for Valtteri Bottas’ crash at the final corner amid scrutiny in the aftermath of the session.

Verstappen scored his second Formula 1 pole at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in qualifyin💦g on Saturday, crossing the line late in Q3 with a time of 1m14.758s.

But the lap was set despite a yellow flag being shown at the final corner follow♌ing a crash for Mercedes driver Bottas – who was ahead of Verstappen on-track – that prompted Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc to lift off.

Asked after the session if he was aware of the incident, Verstappen said: 🔜“I was aware that Valtteri crashed,” but denied he backed off, adding: “Didn’t really look like it, did it? No.”

The Red B𒉰ull driver went on to say that he s🌜aw no issue with his pace through the yellow flag section.

“I t𒁃hink we know what we are doing. Otherwise we w🌳ouldn’t be driving an F1 car,” Verstappen said.

“It’s qualifying, you go for it, but like if they want to delete the lap, then delete theಞ lap.”

The FIA has claimed Ve💜rstappen did lift at the corner as per the mini﷽-sectors, meaning he is not currently set to face any investigation for the incident.

Verstappen’s charge to pole came despite his expectation t🌱hat Ferrari would be the team to ꦓbeat in qualifying after practice, having edged out both Leclerc and Vettel in the final part of the session.

“It’s been ꧙quite an interesting day, but of course to come out on top was incredible,”🍎 Verstappen said.

“The last few races, we know that Ferrari has been really quick on the straight, but for us to come back♍ like this and take pole p🍷osition here, a big thank you to the team for that.

“They always kep💮t pushing very hard. We kept b♛ringing new parts to the car, and showed today that we’re very quick.”

Additional reporting by Julianne Cerasoli.