Saudi Arabia GP: Max Verstappen set to escape gearbox grid penalty

Saudi Arabia GP: Max Verstappen set to escape gearbox grid penalty

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen endured a catastrophic end to the qualifying session on Saturday. In what could have turned out to become one of the best qualifying laps of the season, it ended in agony and despair for the young Dutchman.

Being two-hundredths of a second up on Lewis Hamilton after the first two sectors, Verstappen was all set to lock in a pole position. However, it was one corner too many for him, as he went crashing into the walls which brought an end to his flying lap.

Nevertheless, he managed to finish third in the qualifying session, and will start from the second row alongside Charles Leclerc. In a major relief for the Dutchman and Red Bull, Verstappen does not have any gear box damage, and will not have to take a five place grid penalty for the same.

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Advantage Mercedes, but Red Bull and Max Verstappen still breathe a huge sigh of relief

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

When Max Verstappen went crashing into the walls, the question on everyone’s mind was whether the 24-year-old had sustained enough damage to his gearbox, which could call for a five place penalty. However, Verstappen has not suffered any sort of damage, and will start from the second row itself.

Starting from the second row on a circuit like Jeddah could not be bad thing for Verstappen. With a front-low Mercedes lock-up, the Dutchman could very well overtake Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton going into Turn 1, just like he did at the Mexican GP.

Sergio Perez will start in the third row, after he finished fifth in the qualifying session. Mercedes lead Red Bull by 5 points in the constructors championship, so the Mexican will hope to make up some ground in the opening stages of the race.

Also Read: “Will definitely be exciting”: Mercedes see RB16 gaining speed in Saudi Arabia GP