Max Verstappen Overjoyed After Winning Baku Pole Despite “Running out of Tires” 

Max Verstappen clinched a shock pole position at the wreck-filled Azerbaijan GP Qualifying despite running out of tires at the end moment.

Max Verstappen Overjoyed After Winning Baku Pole Despite “Running out of Tires” 

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen was the driver to watch at the Azerbaijan GP as he came off from his record-breaking win at the Italian GP. The Dutchman seemed to be losing in the drivers’ title despite shortening the lead to 96 points to the championship leader, Oscar Piastri. However, Verstappen has achieved a shock pole position in Baku and is looking promising of a race victory on race day.

Since the beginning of the Azerbaijan GP weekend, Max Verstappen seemed to be on the back foot as his practice session performances weren’t anything great. However, the team brought in great improvements in the car for the Qualifying day and helped Verstappen achieve such a great feat. The multiple red flags at the Baku circuit also worked out in the 27-year-old’s favor as he did not lose lap time because of the cautions.

Max Verstappen will start the race from the front row with a shocking addition of Carlos Sainz in P2. The Azerbaijan GP Qualifying put forth some shocking situations, and Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli start the race from the second row. Now, Verstappen has talked about his Saturday performance and his shock pole position after an accident-filled qualifying in Baku.

Max Verstappen pointed out that the Qualifying session was very long, especially with the multiple red flags. The session ran for an extra hour because of the multiple accidents involving the drivers. Following the red flags, Verstappen couldn’t warm his tires much and had to make do with whatever chances he had. The Dutchman insisted that in the final push lap, he was already out of tires and wasn’t on his best tires, but still managed to pull off a stellar pole position.

A long Qualifying to be honest with so many red flags. Hard to get your tires in condition with so many stoppages. The last lap you just have to send it, I wasn’t even on the best tires are with the red flags, you run out of tires.

Max Verstappen said in a post-session interview

Max Verstappen claims Red Bull ‘definitely’ had shot at pole in Baku

Red Bull’s performance has seemed to improve significantly after the summer break. Max Verstappen is already coming off a stellar race win at the Italian GP and now looks strong for a victory in Baku as well. As such, Verstappen opened up on the team’s pace over the weekend, regardless of the crazy contingencies on Saturday.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen emphasized that he and Red Bull were definitely going to have a realistic shot at pole position, even if the red flags had not come up so many times. Verstappen is now happy with the team’s pace as Milton Keynes seems to be doing a better job since Monza. Now, the Dutchman is likely to emerge victorious on Sunday, lest something untoward happens. Time will tell if the reigning world champion manages to cut down the point disparity for the title lead further.

We definitely were in there for pole, but I’m just happy as since Monza we are doing a better job.

Max Verstappen noted

Currently, Max Verstappen is adrift of the championship lead by 94 points with just seven races to go in the season after the Azerbaijan GP. Verstappen can cut the point disparity by 69 points if Oscar Piastri walks out of the race weekend with zero points. The Baku race will definitely be highly interesting, especially with the surprising lineup of drivers in the top ten.

Read More: Max Verstappen Slams ‘Truly Pointless’ Act Ahead of Nürburgring 24 Hours debut