P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mark Hughes analyses how Red Bull pulled off its miraculous recovery from eighth in the sprint to pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix in just a few hours, and looks at which teams could provide a challenge on Sunday
Max Verstappen expressed his delight at securing pole position for the first time since Austria, following a disappointing eighth place in the Qatar sprint race. The changes made to his car’s aero platform resulted in a more stable and connected feel, allowing him to push confidently during qualifying. Red Bull’s modifications focused on ride heights and damping, transforming the car’s performance in a significant way. Sergio Perez’s pitlane start in the sprint race provided valuable insights that contributed to Red Bull’s successful setup adjustments. Despite the positive qualifying outcome, Verstappen remains cautious about the car’s performance in the upcoming 57-lap race, based on past experiences where qualifying pace did not translate to race performance. The team will report to the stewards regarding a potential incident during qualifying, adding a layer of unpredictability to their race strategy.
