'Little Bit Unexpected': Verstappen Reacts After Scoring Pole Position In Bahrain

Friday, 01 March 2024 at 20:00

Updated at Friday, 01 March 2024 at 20:27

The triple World Champion Max Verstappen shared his feelings for the media after putting his car on the pole for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen will start the Saturday race from pole position after snatching the P1 from Ferrari drivers during the qualifying in Bahrain.

It was clear Red Bull was going to be strong, but it was also suggested the qualification would be close, and in the end, it was. Speaking right after the session, Verstappen said:

“"The track had a lot of grip, but with the wind the last two days, it has been quite tricky to put a whole lap together."”

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The 26-year-old finished 0,228 seconds ahead of the second Charles Leclerc in Q3. However, his time of 1:29.179 was, in fact, slower than Leclerc's best lap from Q2 of 1:29.165.

“"It was the same in qualifying. In Q1 and Q2, you naturally go a bit faster with the track ramping up, but to really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little bit more difficult."”

Red Bull's car is expected to be a lot quicker in the race pace, which has been something that the team has focused on heavily, so the Dutchman, starting from the pole, goes into the race on Saturday as the favorite.

“"But of course, very happy to be on pole. It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying, the car came to us and I was a bit happier with the whole car."”

Overall, the qualifying session was super close, with all top six drivers within four-tenths of a second. The triple World Champions asserted he also expects a tight race as he added:

“"Luckily, we went in the right direction and we could push a bit more with the car. I think the race is going to be close. We do look good in the race, that is the most important but we will see. I'm confident that we can have a strong race"”