Max Verstappen struggles in qualifying after title celebrations
- Max Verstappen qualified sixth for the sprint race at the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix, just five days after his championship celebration.
- He expressed concerns about the pace and balance of his Red Bull car, which affected his performance during qualifying.
- With Lando Norris taking pole position, Red Bull faces significant challenges in retaining their position in the constructors' championship.
Max Verstappen, the newly crowned four-time world champion, faced challenges during the qualifying session for the sprint race at the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix. This event took place just five days after Verstappen celebrated his championship triumph in Las Vegas. On Friday, he was dissatisfied with his performance, expressing that he lacked pace in his Red Bull car. He noted that his car did not have the balance necessary for him to push effectively on the track, listing his qualifying form as deserving of sixth or seventh position. Verstappen described the car's performance as adequate at high speeds but lacking in mid-corner handling. Lando Norris of McLaren secured pole position, followed closely by George Russell and Oscar Piastri from Mercedes, while the two Ferrari drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, qualified fourth and fifth, respectively. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, encountered difficulties as he was eliminated from the initial part of sprint qualifying, raising concerns for Red Bull's hopes in the constructors' championship. With McLaren showing strong form, they are on the verge of their first constructors' title win since 1998. Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that Red Bull's race pace was decent but noted that starting from sixth would complicate overtaking on the Losail International Circuit. Horner expressed the need for the team to enhance performance as they faced mounting pressure. This situation was exacerbated by Perez’s struggles during qualifying, further impacting Red Bull’s strategy for the upcoming races. Despite the festive atmosphere following his title win, Verstappen's performance in Qatar reflected the challenges of transitioning from celebration to competition. Horner, present at Verstappen's title party in Las Vegas, indicated he was surprised to see Verstappen arrive in Qatar on time for the sprint race, contrasting with his expectations after a few days of festivities. The dynamics within the Red Bull team raise questions about their ability to respond to the competitive pressures from McLaren and other teams during this critical phase of the season.