JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 08: Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing, who clinched pole position, receives the Pirelli Pole Position Award from Gianluigi Buffon in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 08, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
The three-time Formula 1 world champion defender easily secured the top spot in the final qualifying session at the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit, leaving second-placed Charles Leclerc’s time behind by over three tenths of a second.
Verstappen got off to a great start in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, securing victory in the first race in Bahrain from pole position, as he aims to clinch his fourth consecutive drivers’ title.
Fortunately for the Dutch driver, Red Bull Racing has provided him with a highly competitive RB20, which is proving to be as dominant as the record-breaking RB19 from last year.
Despite distractions and controversies surrounding his team, Verstappen seems fully focused on maintaining his impressive form and staying ahead of his rivals.
Reflecting on his exceptional performance, the 26-year-old driver expressed his admiration for the team and the impeccable car they have built for him. He stated: “I really enjoyed today. The car was a pleasure to drive, and there was a significant improvement compared to yesterday.”
“We made some adjustments to the car overnight, resulting in a fantastic setup that allowed me to attack the high-speed corners and improve my performance on a single lap.”
“Confidence plays a crucial role on this track, and today I felt very comfortable with the car, pushing it to the limit.”
During an interview with Sky Sports F1, the Dutch driver joked about a pole position lap in 2021 that ended tragically when he crashed at the last corner. This time, he managed to stay strong and emerged as the fastest.
He added: “On my first lap in Q3, I was quite pleased with the lap. It reminded me a bit of the unsuccessful lap in 2021, except this time I nailed the last corner!”
Not only does Red Bull have the fastest car for a single lap, but they also seem to have the strongest race pace among all ten teams. Verstappen is confident in maintaining his first place position and securing victory in the 50-lap race on Saturday.
He stated: “I am proud of today’s performance and look forward to the race tomorrow. As a team, we are delighted with our car and race pace, finding our rhythm today. The whole team has done a remarkable job.”
In qualifying, Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, secured third place. He expressed his disappointment at not achieving his goal of dominating the front row for Red Bull.
The Mexican driver said: “It would have been nice to have full control of the front row, but I believe we are in a favorable position for the battle tomorrow.”
He further explained: “I felt like we took a step back compared to our performance in practice. Thursday was promising, but unfortunately qualifying didn’t go as well.”
“The whole day was not as satisfying as yesterday. I didn’t maximize tire preparation and balance. We need to analyze and understand why this happened. However, the adjustments made to the car should improve our performance in the race.”
Despite the setbacks, Perez remains hopeful for the next race. The long straights and challenging layout of the circuit often catch drivers by surprise. The 34-year-old driver is looking forward to competing closely with his teammate Verstappen during the Grand Prix.
He added: “It is crucial to overtake Charles as quickly as possible and be in the mix. The DRS zones will play a significant role, and making progress early on will be important.”
“I believe we have a stronger race pace compared to Ferrari, but degradation can quickly change the situation. This track always presents a challenge, but there are ample opportunities for overtaking and intense racing. We have a long way to go.”
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place under the lights at 8:00 PM local time (5:00 PM GMT) on Saturday, March 9.
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