Max Verstappen to start Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 15TH after ‘very annoying mechanical failure’
Mad Max! World champion Verstappen is to start Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 15TH after ‘very annoying mechanical failure’ at Turn 10… and the Red Bull star is calling for his fans to be ‘realistic’ with many still expecting him to win
- Verstappen’s Red Bull suffered a driveshaft mechanical failure during Q2
- The Red Bull had been consistently quick for the Dutchman in earlier practices
- But Verstappen has not ruled out the possibility of a fightback on Sunday
Max Verstappen’s hopes of a second consecutive grand prix victory to start the 2023 received a serious blow after the Dutchman crashed out of qualifying on Saturday.
The current world champion was eliminated in Q2 after suffering engine failure, and will start 15th on the grid during tomorrow’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.
Red Bull confirmed that his car had suffered driveshaft mechanical failure, after Verstappen loss acceleration power.
The Dutch driver was predictably frustrated by his early exit but urged caution before ruling out his chances.
‘No, it is the first time I have heard about it,’ Verstappen admitted when asked if he had known the root cause of the problem. ‘Coming out of Turn 10 it happened which is very annoying.
‘I think so far we had a really good weekend, every session was going well, the car was working really well.
‘Now it will be a bit more tricky to get to the front but it will be all about scoring points.
‘Of course, I would have liked to have stared further up the road but there is nothing I can do now.
‘Let’s stay realistic – it is going to be tough but we have good pace so let’s move forward.’
The Red Bull driver will not doubt look to challenge the firepower he found during last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, which saw Verstappen charge through the pack from an 14th-placed starting position to win the race.
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