Max Verstappen: “A terrible qualifying finish for me”

Certainly, this season of Formula 1 is full of twists and turns, and she proved it to us once again this Saturday! In this penultimate qualifying session of the year, Max Verstappen came very close to taking a memorable pole position. We thought Lewis Hamilton untouchable with his time of 1'27″511 and a top speed of 325 km/h, the Dutchman set off on a final lap to try to beat him. Record in the first and second sector for the pilot Red Bull, who attacked the last with 2 tenths ahead of the Briton. A stunning performance but one that was stopped dead in its tracks. The championship leader hit the wall in the final corner, ruining his car and causing a yellow flag and an end to the session. A disillusionment for the man who was chasing his 13th career pole position. 

“It’s a terrible end to qualifying for me, regrets Max Verstappen. Overall, she had been pretty good until that last round. It was difficult to warm up the tires on this track but the pace was there. Then there was this last turn... I don't really know what happened, I locked my wheels, I tried to hold the car as best I could to finish my lap but I hit the wall. Of course, finishing 3rd is disappointing because I know I was putting in a very good lap. At least I know the car is very fast on this circuit and we will see what we can do this Sunday.”

A doubt hovers over Max Verstappen's RB16B. Will the gearbox need to be replaced following this accident? If this is the case, the Dutchman will receive a five-place penalty on Sunday's starting grid. The main person concerned remained evasive on this subject: “for my gearbox, I don’t know. I stopped against the wall so we'll see. I need to see if I broke my gearbox, but it seems not ». The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be eventful, like this season. It will begin at 18 p.m. this Sunday and can be followed in live text on AUTOhebdo.fr

One turn from pole! 🤯

Max Verstappen ends up against the wall and it's ultimately Lewis Hamilton who will be on the front row!

With such exciting qualifiers, we can only look forward to tomorrow, we'll have to brush against the walls! 😍 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/fmOhZwoiq8

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) December 4, 2021