De Vries studies Verstappen: 'He was very attacking there'

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was held for the first time in 2021. It was then the second-to-last race of the season and was part of the exciting title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton eventually managed to win the race from pole position, but Verstappen was close to qualifying on pole on the Saturday. The Dutchman, in fact, was on an incredibly fast lap in the final phase of qualifying, something that was followed from the pitlane with great eyes by Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso. However, at the last moment, Verstappen lost it by braking a little late. It was just enough to leave the fastest time to Hamilton.

'It was a very impressive lap'

Now, two years later, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix is upon us again. Rookie Nyck de Vries will drive the race for the first time this year, and to do so, he is apprenticed to Verstappen. The Athletic reports that De Vries watched Verstappen's 2021 qualifying lap several times in preparation for the race. " I just thought it was a very impressive lap," De Vries explained. "I was watching it back again, and he was talking about it. You could see from the outside how aggressive and attacking it was."