P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen deployed a different strategy in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen praised his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase for making a strategic decision that led to him securing pole position in Saudi Arabia. Despite most drivers opting for a single run on new soft tires following Lando Norris’s crash during Q3, Verstappen chose a different approach. He aborted his first flying lap due to the red flag, allowing him to save his tires for a later run. This strategy required carrying extra fuel and executing a race-style pit stop, ultimately resulting in Verstappen narrowly beating Oscar Piastri. Verstappen credited Lambiase’s decision-making for their success in finding the right setup balance. He emphasized the importance of fine-tuning and learning about their car to improve consistency in performance throughout the season.
