Verstappen Unhappy with Qatar Qualifying Despite P3 Grid Slot
Max Verstappen was surprisingly candid about his Qatar GP qualifying, stating his P3 grid slot was "not what I wanted" due to persistent car limitations. While acknowledging some improvement, he remains dissatisfied with the RB21's handling, particularly its bouncing. With both McLarens ahead, this sets up a potentially challenging race for the usually dominant Red Bull driver.
Max Verstappen candidly expressed his dissatisfaction with his Qatar Grand Prix qualifying performance, stating it was "not what I wanted," even after securing third place on the grid. Despite the improved outcome, the Red Bull driver admitted he still isn't where he aims to be with the car.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's unusual discontent, even from a P3 starting position, signals potential underlying issues with the Red Bull RB21, especially when compared to the dominant performances seen throughout the season. With McLaren locking out the front row, this race could be a rare challenge for the reigning champion and provide a tighter contest at the front.
The Details:
- Verstappen qualified third for the Qatar Grand Prix, two-tenths of a second behind pole-sitter Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who was closely followed by teammate Lando Norris.
- He acknowledged an improvement in qualifying compared to earlier sessions but highlighted "limitations that don't allow us to push harder around the lap."
- Verstappen noted that starting on the second row provides "better opportunities" due to the difficulty of overtaking at the Lusail International Circuit.
- Throughout the weekend, Verstappen has vocalized complaints about the RB21, particularly regarding its bouncing through corners.
- When pressed about the car's performance in qualifying, he succinctly responded, "No, it's still not amazing, I would say."
The Big Picture:
Red Bull has largely dominated the 2024 season, with Verstappen securing numerous poles and wins. His current struggles in Qatar, particularly with the car's balance and handling, represent a departure from their usual formidable form. This could suggest that other teams, like McLaren, are closing the performance gap or that the specific characteristics of the Lusail circuit are exposing rare weaknesses in the RB21.
What's next:
Verstappen remains cautiously optimistic for the race, emphasizing the challenge of overtaking. His ability to manage the car's limitations and convert a P3 start into a podium finish, or even a win, against the strong McLarens will be a key storyline for Sunday. The team will undoubtedly be working to understand and mitigate the car's issues as the season progresses, especially with the sprint race format providing another opportunity for points and data gathering.