Introducing the winner of the pole position, Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing, the second place Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, and the third place George Russell from Mercedes. The interviews were conducted by Jolyon Palmer in the Parc Ferme.
P: Max Verstappen, starting the 2024 season with the pole position, just like you ended in ’23. It seemed like a relatively smooth session for you. How was it?
Max Verstappen: It was really fun. The track had good grip, but the wind made it difficult to do a perfect lap. Overall, I’m happy to be on pole. It was a bit unexpected, but the car performed better during qualifying.
P: You mentioned it was unexpected. In the practice sessions, you weren’t in the lead. Did you expect the Red Bull to behave differently this year?
MV: We knew we needed to adjust some things on the car to find the right balance. The wind made it challenging, but we made improvements and felt more comfortable during qualifying.
P: You’re already used to starting in the front now. How do you feel about tomorrow’s race?
MV: The race will be intense. We have a good race pace, so I’m confident.
P: Congratulations, Charles Leclerc, for second place. It was a good qualifying session, but not enough for the pole position. How do you feel?
Charles Leclerc: I’m a little disappointed, but overall it was a good qualifying session. We’ve made progress compared to last year, so that’s positive.
P: The difference between you and Max was less than three tenths of a second. Can you explain how that happened?
CL: In Q2, I did a lap time close to what Max did in Q3. We lost a bit of pace in Q3, but it was still a positive qualifying session.
P: Ferrari had difficulties in the races last year. Do you think you can challenge Max in tomorrow’s race?
CL: We’ve made progress, but Red Bull is still ahead. We’ll see how it goes, but I’ll take any opportunity that comes up.
P: Congratulations, George Russell, for third place. It’s a big improvement for Mercedes compared to previous seasons. How do you feel?
George Russell: I’m very pleased. The team did a great job with the car, and starting in third place is a great position for the start of the season.
P: It seems like Mercedes improved their pace in qualifying. Was there a lot of work since the tests?
GR: We made improvements since the tests, and it’s great to see our qualifying pace improve. We hope it hasn’t affected our race pace.
P: What is your goal for tomorrow’s race?
GR: Red Bull is strong, so the goal is to fight for second place. But anything can happen in the first race of the season.
P: Max, the wind has been a challenge this weekend. How did it affect your performance?
MV: The wind made it difficult to find the right balance of the car. It was a continuous process of trying to improve and find the right setup.
P: Max, you had a big improvement in your second lap in Q3. Can you explain what happened?
MV: I had more grip on the second lap. The first lap wasn’t as good, but the second lap was better from the start.
P: Charles, the difference between you and Max was less than three tenths of a second. Can you explain how that happened?
CL: In Q2, I did a lap time similar to Max’s in Q3. We lost a bit of pace in Q3, but overall it was a positive qualifying session.
P: George, starting in third place is a big improvement for Mercedes. Did you expect this result?
GR: After the tests, we didn’t expect to qualify in third place. It’s a pleasant surprise and shows the progress we’ve made.
P: Max, there has been a lot of attention on Red Bull this week. How do you and the team deal with it?
MV: We are fully focused on our performance and the car. We leave other matters to the team management.
P: Max, do you still have confidence in Christian Horner’s leadership at Red Bull Racing?
MV: Christian has been an incredible team boss, and I have full confidence in his leadership. We are focused on our performance.
P: Max, do your engineers provide suggestions on how to improve your performance?
MV: It depends on the weekend, but we always discuss with the engineers and analyze the performance of the competitors to find areas for improvement.
P: Max, do you think the intense competition in qualifying is a sign of what’s to come in the 2024 season?
MV: It’s hard to say, but historically stable regulations have brought the field closer together and made the competition fiercer.
P: George, Charles, and Max, how much of a factor will the wind be in tomorrow’s race?
CL: The wind can make a difference, but it’s the same for everyone. I don’t believe it will have a significant impact on the race.
GR: I agree with Charles. The wind can affect the cars, but it won’t be a decisive factor.
MV: I think the wind will be less relevant tomorrow, but it’s always exciting to race in Bahrain.
© 2024
The world of sports is full of excitement and surprises, and 2024 will be no different. With the arrival of new talents and the rise of established athletes, fans can expect great moments in this year’s sports competitions.
In football, teams are preparing for national and international championships. Players are training hard and dedicating themselves to achieve victory. Fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action and cheer for them.
In basketball, the stars are ready to shine on the courts. The games promise a lot of excitement and incredible plays. Fans are excited to see their idols in action and cheer for their teams.
In motorsport, drivers are preparing for the most thrilling races of the year. Speed, adrenaline, and fierce competition promise to leave fans in awe. Supporters are eager to see who will be the ultimate champion.
In addition, other sports are also gaining prominence. Tennis, volleyball, golf, and many other sports promise exciting moments for fans.
In summary, 2024 will be a year full of excitement and surprises in the world of sports. Fans can prepare for great competitions, thrilling games, and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss any action, stay updated with all the news, and cheer for your favorite team. Sports are passion, emotion, and overcoming challenges. Let’s live every moment intensely!
