Verstappen not optimistic ahead of Bahrain GP: 'That doesn't matter when you are too slow'

09:03, 13 Apr

byKada Sarkozi

After qualifying, Max Verstappen was not satisfied with the RB21, citing multiple issues in the process. Staring from P7 on the grid, the Dutchman does not look forward to the Grand Prix positively.

"I'll try to do the best I can. I hope that I can stay a bit with the Mercedes and Ferraris. Naturally, I think the McLaren will pull away, but we'll try our best, see what happens," the four-time world champion began to GPblog, among others, after qualifying.

For the first time this season, Verstappen's teammate made it through to Q3. Yuki Tsunoda finished in P10 on Saturday evening, and the Dutchman was also asked about whether having the Japanese driver closer to him could help with their strategy.

"Depends if we have the pace, which I don't think we have. The positive is that we have two cars in Q3, the negative is that we struggle for pace. So it's nice to have two cars in there, but when you are too slow then it doesn't matter," Verstappen explained.

Verstappen expects McLaren to stand out completely

In terms of the Dutchman's championship rivals, Oscar Piastri will start from pole position, while Lando Norris will line up in P6 on the grid.

The driver expects McLaren to run away with it today at the Bahrain International Circuit. "Yes, should be the case. You never know what can happen in a Grand Prix, but I think on pure pace, yes," he concluded.

This article was written in collaboration with Estéban den Toom