Red Bull Content Pool
Rumors
'Verstappen looks set to avoid grid penalty, gearbox looks good'
- GPblog.com
Max Verstappen's RB16B has taken a beating in the qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing is currently investigating whether there is any damage to the gearbox and although official reports are not expected until Sunday, the first rumours are already filtering through.
And those would be positive for the team of Verstappen. Motorsport-Total.com report that Red Bull suggest it 'looks pretty good'. The German medium also states that the investigation is not yet completed.
No risks for Red Bull
Red Bull will want to ensure that Verstappen starts the race with a gearbox without any problems. Helmut Marko has said the Austrian squad are not willing to take any risks, and are even prepared to accept a five-place grid penalty for a new gearbox if there is any doubt about the current one.
A failure could deny Verstappen the chance of winning his first world title. Red Bull wants to avoid a scenario like Charles Leclerc's at Monaco, where the Ferrari driver was allowed to start from pole but was unable to due to gearbox problems on the warm-up lap.