Max Verstappen has played a significant role in Red Bull’s achievements in recent years. Since his first championship season, Verstappen has stood out at an exceptional level. He secured his 37th career pole position at the Shanghai International Circuit and expressed satisfaction with the performance of the RB20 during qualifying.
Verstappen’s dominance in the 2024 season is evident, as he has won all the races he has completed so far. Although he started the Chinese GP weekend in fourth place for the Sprint race, the reigning champion remained confident and ultimately emerged victorious.
After the Sprint race, Verstappen shared that the RB20 performed much better during qualifying. He made certain adjustments to the car’s setup after the parc fermé regulations were lifted, resulting in improved performance with low fuel load. This exceptional performance led Verstappen to secure pole position with an impressive time of 1:33.660, marking Red Bull’s 100th pole in F1.
The Chinese GP weekend introduced the Sprint race format for the first time this season, presenting new challenges for the drivers. Verstappen explained the approach he followed during qualifying, emphasizing the need to adapt to constantly changing conditions and take advantage of new tires for each attempt.
Despite his impressive lap in Q3, Verstappen believes the Shanghai International Circuit is not undergoing significant track evolution. This may pose challenges in the next race, but Verstappen remains a strong contender for victory. Furthermore, he aims to secure the fastest lap to extend his championship lead over his teammate.
