Max Verstappen claims the RB20 worked a ‘lot better’ as he clinched Red Bull’s 100th pole position at the Chinese GP

Max Verstappen has played a huge role in the success Red Bull has amassed in recent years.

Max Verstappen claims the RB20 worked a ‘lot better’ as he clinched Red Bull’s 100th pole position at the Chinese GP

Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has been driving in a different league altogether since his first championship-winning season. The Red Bull driver claimed his 37th career pole at the Shanghai International Circuit and claimed the RB20 to have worked well during the recent quali.

Max Verstappen began his mighty run of performances by winning every single race that he has finished so far in the 2024 season. However, his Chinese GP weekend was not off to a great start, as the Dutchman was in fourth place for the Sprint race. But the reigning champion seemed confident about his chances and emerged victorious in the end.

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Post-qualifying, Verstappen revealed that the RB20 was in much better shape than during the sprint race.

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I think after the sprint race there were a few ideas with the car, and it worked a lot better in qualifying. The final lap in Q3 was good, and it was nice to drive around here in the dry. Coming out of the race, and you have to get comfortable again for one lap.
Max Verstappen said in the post-qualifying interview

The 26-year-old elaborated that he had certain ideas to change the setup of the car as the parc ferme regulations were lifted. However, the RB20 worked a lot better under low fuel loads and performed exceptionally well. This resulted in the Dutchman claiming the pole position with an astonishing time of 1:33.660 and gave Red Bull their 100th pole in F1.

Max Verstappen detailed the challenge of jumping in qualifying after the Sprint race

The weekend in China marks the first sprint weekend of the season. Moreover, the sprint format brings a different set of challenges for the drivers, and Verstappen explained how the 20 drivers have to adapt to it.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).

The reigning champion explained the plan he followed for qualifying.

Coming out of a race, when you then go back to low fuel, it probably takes one lap to get comfortable again. Plus new tyres are getting put on every single time so you know where you can find a little bit more in every single corner. Every time besides my first run in Q3, we were going a bit faster. I think the track evolution wasn’t that massive around here, but that’s fine.

Max Verstappen said in the same interview

The Dutchman elucidated that it takes around one lap for a driver to get used to the new conditions as the fuel load is tapered off. Moreover, they are put on fresh tires for their attempts and it helps them to understand where they can find a bit more performance and lap time around the track and incorporate that knowledge during their next run.

Despite his mammoth lap in Q3, Verstappen reckons that the Shanghai International Circuit doesn’t have a lot of track evolution. This could be detrimental in the race tomorrow as the Dutchman is the prime candidate for the win. Moreover, Verstappen will look to snatch the fastest lap to extend his championship lead over his teammate.

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