JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 08: Dutch driver Max Verstappen, from Oracle Red Bull Racing (C), Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari (L) and Mexican driver Sergio Perez, from Oracle Red Bull Racing (R) pose for a photo in the parc fermé during the qualifying for the Saudi Arabia Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 8, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Featuring the top three qualifiers for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez.
Q: Checo, tomorrow you will start in P3 on the grid. How was your lap? Are you satisfied with your performance?
Sergio PEREZ: Yes, my last lap didn’t show much improvement, so we missed out on the front row. But overall, Max did an incredible lap. Although I couldn’t match that today, I believe being on the front row was possible. However, we are still in the fight for tomorrow’s race. Anything can happen.
Q: You had a good performance in the long run practice yesterday. How do you feel about tomorrow’s race and the competition from Charles and Max?
SP: Tomorrow’s race will be interesting and full of action. The cars around us are all very close, so it will be an exciting battle.
Q: Charles, great last lap. Can you tell us about your qualifying session and your expectations for the race?
Charles LECLERC: The first lap in Q3 didn’t go as planned, but on the second lap, I managed to put it all together. It’s a shame we are a bit further back than expected, but I hope for a good surprise in the race and a chance to challenge the Red Bull cars.
P: You showed a good pace on the soft tires in the long run practices. How confident are you with the car and how is the team feeling for the race?
CL: We have made progress compared to last year. The car is more comfortable, especially in the races. We will focus on ourselves and optimize everything else for the race. Let’s see what is possible tomorrow.
P: Carlos cannot race this weekend, and Ollie Bearman has joined the team. How do you feel about his performance today?
CL: I hope Carlos recovers quickly. As for Ollie, he did an amazing job considering he only had one practice session. It is a special day for him, and I hope we both have a great race and score points for the team.
P: Max, congratulations on your first pole position in Jeddah. Can you tell us about your qualifying session and how it felt to secure the pole?
Max VERSTAPPEN: It was a great day for us. We made some improvements to the car overnight, which gave me more confidence in the high-speed corners. I felt comfortable and had a lot of fun during qualifying. The car performed well, and I am very pleased with the pole position.
P: You had a strong performance in the long run practice yesterday. How confident are you for the race, considering the potential for safety cars?
MV: The race in Jeddah is always unpredictable. Many things can happen, and it is not a simple one-stop race. We have a good race pace, and I am confident the car will perform well.
P: Max, you secured the pole position for the fifth consecutive race alongside Charles. How do you approach the start of the race?
MV: The start is important, but winning the race does not depend solely on that. It is crucial to get through the first lap safely and settle into a rhythm.
P: Charles, you qualified in second place. How do you feel about Ferrari’s performance?
CL: It’s good to start on the front row, but I didn’t have the right feeling with the car today. We tried something different in Q3, but it didn’t work out. However, I expect an improvement in the race and a chance to challenge the Red Bull cars.
P: What are the main challenges of the race in Jeddah?
CL: The race in Jeddah is physically demanding, and the track presents challenges with its high-speed corners. We need to get the strategy right and make the correct decisions.
P: Do you think it’s possible to beat the Red Bulls?
CL: I’m always optimistic, and we will do our best. However, the Red Bulls have shown strong pace, especially in the race. It will be difficult to secure the top spot, but we will give it our all.
P: Ollie Bearman made his debut with Ferrari today. How do you feel about his performance and the impact he had on your session?
CL: Ollie did an amazing job, considering he had little preparation time. It’s a special weekend for him, and I hope we can score points together.
P: Checo, how would you summarize your qualifying session?
SP: It wasn’t as good as yesterday. We took a step back, but we need to understand what went wrong and improve for the race.
P: Are you more satisfied with the RB20 compared to last week in Bahrain?
SP: Yesterday was positive, but today we didn’t perform as well. We need to analyze and make improvements for the race.
P: How do you plan to beat Charles and secure a Red Bull one-two finish?
SP: The race will be challenging, and the fastest car will finish in front. We can overtake on this track, so it will be an intense battle.
P: Max, can you explain why you weren’t faster on the second lap of Q3?
MV: The first lap was very good, but I had a moment between turns 9 and 10 on the second lap, which affected my pace. I knew the previous lap was strong, so I didn’t want to risk damaging the car for a potentially similar lap time. It’s better to finish the lap and deal with it.
P: Charles, why did you try something different on the first lap of Q3?
CL: We wanted to have an extra lap on the tires to see if the balance improved. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. We still need to understand why the qualifying didn’t feel right from the start.
P: Max, there have been rumors about Helmut Marko’s future. How important is it for you that he stays with the team?
MV: I have a lot of respect for Helmut, and my loyalty to him is significant. He has been an important part of my decisions, and it is crucial to keep key people together for the team’s success.
P: How impressed were you with Ollie’s performance, considering his limited preparation?
MV: Ollie did an amazing job. His performance was impressive, especially considering his lack of experience at this track. He deserves recognition for his strong debut.
P: Checo, how would you summarize your qualifying session?
SP: It wasn’t as good as yesterday. We need to understand what went wrong and improve for the race.
P: Are you more satisfied with the RB20 compared to last week in Bahrain?
SP: Yesterday was positive, but today we didn’t perform as well. We need to analyze and make improvements for the race.
P: How do you plan to beat Charles and secure a Red Bull one-two finish?
SP: The race will be challenging, and the faster car will finish in front. We can overtake on this track, so it will be an intense battle.
P: What are your best and worst memories of your debut in Formula 1?
SP: My worst memory was being disqualified due to a small problem with the rear wing. But I also had a positive experience finishing in the points, fighting against the Ferraris.
MV: My car broke down, so it wasn’t a great debut. It wasn’t a highlight in my career.
CL: The disappointment of not being as competitive as expected was the worst memory. But the excitement of entering Formula 1 was the best part.
P: How challenging is the Jeddah track compared to other circuits?
CL: Jeddah is challenging because it is a street track with fast corners. The smallest mistake can lead to hitting the walls, making it difficult to find confidence.
MV: Jeddah is physically demanding, with constant G-forces and little rest for the body. The track requires total concentration, and the low degradation allows for high-speed races.
SP: Jeddah is one of the most physically demanding races, with high-speed corners and low degradation. It is a challenging and intense race.
P: Is Jeddah one of your favorite places to race?
CL: Jeddah is one of my favorite tracks, along with Monaco, Singapore, and Baku.
MV: I prefer historic tracks, but Jeddah is one of the coolest street tracks.
SP: Jeddah is one of my favorites. The fans here are passionate about racing, creating a great atmosphere.
© 2024
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