Verstappen harsh after dramatic qualification: ‘I’m not fighting for the world title’
Max Verstappen is not in contention for the world title. That was his clear message after the qualifying session in Bahrain. The Dutchman says he is only participating in the championship at the moment.
Helmut Marko stated on Friday that there was something positive to see in Max Verstappen’s long run. Verstappen was able to match the pace of the McLarens for three laps. However, Verstappen does not share Marko’s opinion.
‘I disagree with that. I think we are generally poor in one lap and poor in the race compared to McLaren. With Ferrari and Mercedes, you might have had more chance yesterday, but it wasn’t pleasant yesterday either.’
Verstappen is not in contention for the world title.
McLaren is deliberately not mentioned by Verstappen. According to him, they are not his competitors. ‘They are not my competitors at the moment. I am only participating in the championship.’ When asked if he is not in the championship battle, Verstappen was firm: ‘No.’
That sounds strange for someone who is only one point behind the championship leader. Still, Verstappen has his own thoughts: ‘I don’t think we had a great chance this season (for the win). Only in Suzuka can you be on pole in qualifying if others make mistakes. That puts you in a good position. Sunday was fortunately cooler, so there was less tire degradation. And you can’t overtake there, as has been proven’, Verstappen concluded.
As in Japan, Red Bull turned its car upside down overnight to find more performance, but Verstappen doesn’t feel there is anything else the squad could have done to be higher on the grid: “We have tried everything we could on the car and nothing works, so that’s not the issue. If I had to do qualifying again, then I have no idea what else we could have changed. We tried everything that makes sense at this track.”
Offering his thoughts on moving up in the race, Verstappen said: “Lando [Norris] normally just drives to the front, with the speed they have. Of course, there’s an Alpine [of Pierre Gasly] that could drop back, but other than that it will be tough to move up because our pace is all similar. I will do my best, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough for a podium or sixth.”
