Red Bull driver Max Verstappen found himself in a familiar position at the end of qualifying for the Sakhir Grand Prix, with him qualifying P3 with only the two Mercedes ahead of him.
Verstappen will start the race on a set of soft-compound tyres, while the Silver Arrows could be vulnerable off the line as they’ll start the grand prix on the mediums.
READ: Mercedes Will Make Sure George Russell Doesn’t Look ‘Too Good’ – Ex-F1 Driver
Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said he is expecting a difficult race tomorrow but believes he could have a chance of moving up the order if he has a good start and the team makes the right strategy calls.
“It’s a very short lap and to be P3 I tried to be as close as I can but it was closer than normal and the layout explains that,” Verstappen said.
“We are starting on different tyres [to the Mercedes] so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Wherever possible […] we will find out tomorrow. The lap times are so close. It will depend on starts and traffic management but it’s not going to be easy,” he added.
READ: ‘It’s Incredible How Sh*t Albon Is’: Social Media Reacts To Albon’s Poor Sakhir GP Qualifying