P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen finished P8 for the first time in any sprint or race since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix in the Qatar sprint.
Max Verstappen faced a challenging race in the Qatar Grand Prix sprint, describing his Red Bull as a “rally car” due to lack of grip. Starting from sixth, he dropped to ninth on the opening lap, unable to overtake Hulkenberg’s Haas to improve his position. This race marked Verstappen’s lowest finish of the season and his worst result in over three years. Despite the difficulties, he remains hopeful that adjustments can be made to address the car’s issues for the upcoming qualifying session. Verstappen expressed frustration with the performance of his RB20 and acknowledged the need for improvements before the next race.
