P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has admitted that he is “not confident” that he can beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in F1’s Saudi Arabian GP, despite taking pole position.
Red Bull’s Verstappen secured pole position just 0.010 seconds ahead of Piastri, thanks to a strategic decision during a stoppage triggered by a crash from Norris. Despite Red Bull’s success at the Jeddah Circuit, Verstappen remains unsure about his chances against his competition. Verstappen expressed concern about McLaren’s advantage in race conditions, particularly in tire management. He admitted his long runs were not as strong as his competitors and hoped for an improvement in tire life. Both drivers are prepared for a challenging race with uncertainties regarding tire behavior and track conditions. Piastri acknowledged Red Bull’s improved competitiveness in Jeddah compared to previous races and emphasized the potential for overtaking opportunities.
