Verstappen stunned after securing pole: 'We changed a lot on the car'
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- Jeroen Immink
Max Verstappen has captured pole position for the first time since the Austrian Grand Prix in July. During Formula 1 qualifying in Qatar, the Red Bull Racing driver pipped George Russell of Mercedes. Afterwards, Verstappen was surprised by Red Bull's performance swing after a difficult sprint race.
Verstappen: 'The car felt a lot better'
Verstappen couldn't quite believe it himself after the F1 qualifying session in Qatar. "I also didn't quite expect that but well done to the team, for giving me a car that feels a bit more connected and once the car is a bit more together you can push a little harder," Verstappen said afterwards. "It felt a lot better out there," he added.
In doing so, the four-time world champion admitted that his team made changes to the RB20 after a tough sprint race. Verstappen finished only eighth earlier on. "We did change a bit on the car, but I never thought it would make such a swing on performance, so that's promising. I hope it also lasts tomorrow in the race, but I don't know that yet, but it felt a lot more stable over one lap and that's exactly what we need. But very happy to be on pole, its been a while."
Verstappen has pole position for the first time for the second time in 16 races. The four-time world champion, of course, missed the sesation of finishing on pole. "It's going to be a tough race physically but also on the tyres. The front left around here gets eaten up quite a lot, but I'm hoping with the setup we have on the car now we'll be a bit better. It's all very close behind. You could see it in the sprint race. Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari are all quick. Now it seems like we are in that mix and I hope tomorrow as well." Concluded Verstappen.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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