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As anticipation builds for the Qatar Grand Prix, reigning champion Max Verstappen is facing technical challenges that could affect his performance in the upcoming sprint race. Following a recent victory in Las Vegas, Verstappen’s confidence remains high. However, the difficulties experienced during qualifying have raised concerns. The Dutch driver has voiced worries about merely trying to ‘survive’ the race due to issues with his car’s set-up.
During the early stages of qualifying, Verstappen encountered significant bouncing issues while using medium tyres, which intensified in the final qualifying session on soft tyres. This development has raised alarms within the Red Bull team, as unexpected handling difficulties may hinder Verstappen’s ability to compete effectively against his rivals.
The evidence
With only two Grands Prix and a sprint remaining in the season, Verstappen is determined to reclaim the top position in the standings. He enters the Qatar race just 24 points behind current leader Lando Norris. His recent performance in Las Vegas has renewed his title ambitions, particularly following the disqualification of both McLaren drivers, which has allowed him to significantly close the points gap.
The reconstruction
The stakes are high for Verstappen, who aims for a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. He acknowledges the intense competition but remains optimistic, stating, “I’m ready! Let’s see what happens. It feels similar to last week, and while the fight is closer, we will give it our all to make this an exciting finish to the season.”
Recent performance and challenges
Reflecting on the latter part of the season, Verstappen admits that various factors have contributed to his resurgence. After a disappointing ninth-place finish at the Hungarian GP in August, he initially expressed doubts about his prospects for the remainder of the season. However, he has secured four wins in the last eight races and consistently reached the podium in other events, significantly narrowing the points deficit.
“I certainly didn’t expect this turnaround, but here we are,” Verstappen remarked. “Although the results have improved, it’s essential to recognize the role luck has played, including incidents involving other drivers. Despite the rocky start to the season, I’m focused on maximizing my performance in the last two races.”
Support from teammates
Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda is also eager to make an impact in the season’s final rounds. Having faced a challenging campaign after his promotion to Red Bull, Tsunoda is committed to supporting Verstappen’s title quest. With his own future in Formula 1 uncertain, Tsunoda understands the importance of collaboration and aims to enhance his performance by staying close to Verstappen during the races.
Tsunoda has expressed his desire to finish as high as possible, ideally in the top five, which he believes could strategically benefit both him and Verstappen in the battle against McLaren. “Being close to Max can help us both in terms of race strategy and overall positioning,” Tsunoda stated, indicating his willingness to assume a supportive role.
Future implications
As the season approaches its conclusion, the pressure mounts not only on Verstappen but also on Tsunoda, whose place on the grid for the next season remains uncertain. He remains hopeful that by positively contributing to Verstappen’s performance, he can secure his own future in the sport. “The decision regarding my future is pending, but I intend to focus solely on this race and support Max as much as I can,” Tsunoda concluded.
With the Qatar GP sprint imminent, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Tsunoda as they navigate the complexities of the race, each driven by their own motivations and goals. The blend of technical challenges and the pressure of the championship race sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the desert.