Verstappen does not expect an easy win: 'Is about details'
F1 News
Max Verstappen starts this Saturday's Bahrain Grand Prix from his now familiar pole position. With a fine lap in Q3, the world champion put his Red Bull in front. That was by no means a foregone conclusion after Q2, in which Charles Leclerc had recorded the best time. Afterwards, the Monegasque's lap was even faster than Verstappen's best lap in Q3.
So in Q2, Verstappen could not match Leclerc's time, only succeeding in the closing segment. How the Dutchman managed that? "I don't know, it just had a bit more grip somehow. The first run, it just didn't really feel that great. The tyres never really switched on. And then on the final lap, well, it just felt better from doing one," Verstappen said.
There are whispers in the paddock that the difference between Red Bull and Ferrari is about three tenths. Verstappen says: "I think it was just a very tight qualifying, and I think it was just also very tricky conditions with the wind this whole weekend. So, just if you can get the lap together, immediately you can find one one-odd tenths in a corner."
Verstappen expects exciting race
Red Bull were better in the races last year than in qualifying. For Verstappen, it will have to wait and see how that will be this season. "I mean, we've done quite a few long runs now, to the point where you almost get bored of it. But, yes, I'm confident that we have a good race car. But I think also what you saw already yesterday in the long runs, the gaps are small, and it's about attention to detail. That will make the difference also tomorrow."