F1 News

Final grid | Verstappen 'just' starts from P11

Final starting grid | No Stroll, Zhou from pitlane, Verstappen in P11

17 September 2023 at 11:30
Last update 17 September 2023 at 11:57

Red Bull Racing has decided not to make any changes to the cars of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen. The team opted not to start from the pit lane, but 'just' fight their way to the front from P11 (Verstappen) and P13 (Perez).

Only 18 drivers will be on the grid at the start. Lance Stroll has had to cancel for the Grand Prix. The Canadian has not recovered enough from his big crash with his Aston Martin during qualifying. Guanyu Zhou is also not on the tarmac at the start. The Alfa Romeo driver changed his engine, breaking the parc fermé rules. He is therefore obliged to start from the pit lane.

Exciting start

Carlos Sainz will start the race from pole position, with Mercedes driver George Russell diagonally behind him. Charles Leclerc will start the race in third, with Lando Norris right behind him, who managed to qualify in P4 with his McLaren. Lewis Hamilton (fifth) and Fernando Alonso (seventh) will need a good start to have any chance of reaching the podium, although nothing is as unpredictable as the Singapore Grand Prix.