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Max Verstappen rejoices narrowly clinching Pole Position from Charles Leclerc at ‘difficult’ Bahrain GP Qualifying

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Aditya Pandya | Last updated 3/1/24

Qualifying for the Bahrain GP was topped by reigning world champion Max Verstappen. However, the Dutchman didn’t finish in P1 during Q1, while leading the subsequent two sessions. Hence, the RB20 has finally suited the driver as he looks ahead positively at the season opener of Bahrain GP.

Verstappen highlighted his feelings on scoring yet another pole position in Formula 1. The 26-year-old mentioned that it was very fun scoring the Pole. Additionally, the Dutchman recalled the ‘difficult’ past few days for the team, during practice sessions. However, the three-time world champion was satisfied with how the ‘car came together’ towards the end of the qualifying session at Bahrain GP.

It was a lot of fun really. With the wind early in the weekend was difficult, and to get the maximum out of the car in Q3 was difficult but in the end the car came together. Verstappen said, as reported by @JunaidSamodien_/X.

Apart from this, Verstappen mentioned how the crew had to ‘fine tune’ a few things on the chassis to find the perfect balance. However, the Dutchman clinched the Pole position with a mere gap of 0.228s from Charles Leclerc who will start from second place. Hence, the three-time world champion asserted that the main race would be close as well. Regardless, the drivers and fans’ excitement reached an all-time high as the 2024 season has finally started.

Like I said yesterday we had to fine tune a few things some times on the car to get the perfect balance, and made another step in qualifying. The race is going to be close as well. We'll see tomorrow

Max Verstappen likely to dominate the 2024 season of Formula 1

The RB20 designed by the Aero-genius Adrian Newey was praised by the Dutch driver. Verstappen mentioned how he appreciated the fact that Red Bull was ‘non-conservative’ while designing the RB20. The testing and practice sessions proved that the challenger would follow in the footsteps of the highly dominant RB19 from the previous season.

Drivers like Lewis Hamilton accepted how Verstappen would win the first race of the season in 2024. Additionally, Toto Wolff mentioned how the concept for RB20 was ‘courageous’. Hence, it is safe to assume that following Mercedes’ belief in the team, the driver would likely win the race. The team prepares for the season opener in Bahrain tomorrow.

Max Verstappen is currently eyeing to win the 2024 season of Formula 1 as well. The driver aims to match his 2023 performance, if not perform better down the season. On the contrary, Sergio Perez had a decent start to the season by qualifying in the fifth spot for the first race of the season in Formula 1.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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