A split second that could cost you dearly. For Max Verstappen the qualification in Jeddah could prove decisive for the outcome of the championship.
The Dutch driver, in fact, was setting a record time on the occasion of his last attempt, and was giving his all to be able to respond to Lewis Hamilton. Two tenths of an advantage in the first sector, touching the walls, two tenths of an advantage in the third. Then the disaster.
When Verstappen arrived at the approach of the last corner he went long blocking the right front and then ended up on the dirt and hit the wall with the right rear.
The dismay in the Red Bull garage was enormous, as was the desperation of his father Jos who slammed his fists hard on the table. Max immediately realized that he had made a very serious mistake and damaged his Red Bull RB16B and was forced to park on the track with the rear right damaged.
“It was a terrible mistake.” These were the first words spoken by Max at the end of a session that saw him get a third place that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
The leader of the standings admitted that he was pushing hard on the occasion of his last attempt, and underlined the difficulties in bringing the tires up to temperatures experienced since yesterday.
“I was having some good qualifying, even if on this track it is difficult to bring the tires up to temperature. The step, however, is there and we have shown it in the last attempt “.
The mistake made in the final seconds of the round was obvious. Verstappen was pushing hard and had the best time in his pocket that would have allowed him to start tomorrow ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. I was trying to keep the car on track to finish the lap, but I hit the wall with the rear and stopped ”.
The unknown now concerns the possible replacement of the gearbox. If the Red Bull mechanics were forced to change the component for Verstappen it would be an almost knockout blow because he would be forced to retreat 5 positions on the grid.
“Third position is disappointing considering the lap I was making, but the car is fast. We will see what we can do in the race. I don’t know if we will be forced to replace the gearbox ”.
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