Securing pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Max Verstappen issued an amusing apology to his race engineer Gianpiero ‘GP’ Lambiase as his triumph came at the cost of 50 Euros.
Verstappen, despite not leading in any of the preceding practice sessions, emerged victorious when it mattered most during Friday’s Q3 session in qualifying.
The reigning World Champion clocked a remarkable 1:29.179, outpacing Charles Leclerc by 0.228 seconds, before promptly expressing remorse to his race engineer over the radio: “I’m so sorry, GP! Haha!”
His team principal, Christian Horner, reassured him, acknowledging the accomplishment by stating, “Nothing to be sorry about Max, it was a good start.
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“Two-tenths clear of Charles and three-tenths clear of George.”
However, Verstappen’s victory came with a humorous twist as he inadvertently cost GP 50 euros.
This was due to a bet between the race engineer and Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who had wagered against Verstappen securing pole position.
Marko, revealing the terms of their agreement, mentioned that he would split his winnings with the star driver, acknowledging Verstappen’s tough negotiation skills.
Marko attributed Verstappen’s pole position to the “Max factor,” particularly noting improvements made after handling and shift issues during practice.
Expressing optimism for the race, with Sergio Perez starting in fifth position, Marko anticipated stiff competition from teams like Ferrari and Mercedes, as well as a strong performance from Fernando Alonso.
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Reflecting on a previous betting mishap during the Abu Dhabi 2023 finale, Marko admitted underestimating Verstappen’s potential, leading to a loss of 500 euros to Horner.
He commended the team’s resilience in overcoming practice setbacks, emphasizing Verstappen’s exceptional performance.
Verstappen’s pole position in Bahrain not only marked a significant achievement but also provided a lighthearted moment amidst the intensity of Formula 1 competition, showcasing the camaraderie and competitive spirit within the Red Bull Racing team.