Max Verstappen claims Saudi Arabian GP pole reminded him of “failed lap” from 2021

Max Verstappen took pole position at the Saudi Arabian GP after an impressive lap in Q3.

Max Verstappen claims Saudi Arabian GP pole reminded him of “failed lap” from 2021

Max Verstappen (Via IMAGO) Max Verstappen's 2021 Saudi Arabian GP incident (Via F1i.com0

Max Verstappen has been in a league of his own over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old had a record-breaking run in 2023. With the reigning world champion eager to win the title this season. Verstappen won the Bahrain GP weekend and took pole for the Saudi Arabian GP. Now, the Dutch driver has revealed that his latest lap reminded him of his mistake three years ago.

Verstappen clinched pole position in Jeddah by over three-tenths to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The three-time world champion was amazed by the high-speed nature of the street circuit. Moreover, the Dutch driver claimed that he was delighted by his lap in the final session of Qualifying.

Throughout qualifying, it's pretty crazy how fast you go around here. I think in my first lap in Q3, I was very happy with how I did the lap.
Max Verstappen said as reported by Motorsport.com
YouTube video

Moreover, Max Verstappen claimed that this lap reminded him of his failed Qualifying lap from the inaugural Saudi Arabian GP in 2021. The Dutch driver was on course to take pole position but bumped into the fall on the final corner, which allowed Lewis Hamilton to clinch pole and win the race. The 26-year-old was satisfied as he at least finished his stellar lap this time around.

FS Video
It felt almost a bit like the failed ’21 lap. But, of course, making the last corner!

Max Verstappen remains the favorite to win the Saudi Arabian GP

The Dutch driver feels at home with the Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull RB20. Verstappen managed to get a lead of almost five seconds in the first few laps of the Bahrain GP last weekend. The three-time world champion eventually came home to win the race by an impressive lead of 22 seconds to second-placed Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO).

Max Verstappen would be looking to emerge victorious in Jeddah. The 26-year-old might be on course to break his own consecutive race wins record this season. However, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari might try to give the Dutch driver a run for his money. On the other hand, Sergio Perez has admitted that he is not as comfortable as Verstappen with the RB20.

Certainly, Max Verstappen remains the favorite to win the Saudi Arabian GP. The three-time world champion has continued to consistently perform at the top of his game. As such, fans would be looking forward to seeing how things pan out for the 26-year-old in the streets of Jeddah in the race.

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