P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen claimed pole position at the Lusail International Circuit, his first since the Austrian Grand Prix in June and a result the Dutchman did not expect.
Max Verstappen expressed surprise at the significant performance improvement of his Red Bull after securing pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, unaware that the changes made to his car would have such a profound impact. Despite his remarkable achievement, the Dutch driver faces a potential grid penalty for exceeding the maximum lap time during one of his preparation laps, as noted by the race stewards. Nevertheless, this marked his first pole position since the Austrian Grand Prix held in June. Verstappen credited his team for providing a more responsive car, enabling him to push harder and achieve a more stable and promising qualifying performance. As he anticipates the challenging 57-lap race ahead, the four-time F1 champion emphasizes the importance of managing tire wear, particularly the front left, which is prone to significant degradation at Lusail International Circuit. Verstappen remains cautious yet optimistic about his chances in the race, acknowledging the fierce competition from Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, but confident in his team’s setup improvements for the upcoming Grand Prix.
