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reaction verstappen after qualifying saudi arabia 2023

Verstappen resigned: "Just accept and make the best of it"

18 March 2023 at 17:54
Last update 18 March 2023 at 18:44
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen has told Viaplay he was disappointed with his engine problems in qualifying for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver claims it was a problem with the drive shaft, which forced him to retire early from his RB19. The Dutchman will start from P15 on Sunday.

Verstappen explained: "Driveshaft was broken, then it stopped. You can't make anything else out of it now. Just accept it and just try to make the best of it tomorrow."

The 25-year-old driver has not really spoken to his team yet. "I only heard it was that [the driveshaft]. We need to take the car apart and try to find the cause." Earlier on Saturday, the gearbox was also replaced and in Bahrain there were issues with downshifting. "It's not something I'm worried about, but of course it shouldn't happen. We do need to start analysing everything as to why it did happen."

Last season, Verstappen still managed to win in Belgium from the midfield. Is a repeat of that in Jeddah possible? "Nothing is impossible. The speed is there. That is positive. This circuit is a bit trickier than Spa to overtake and not lose too much time with the front group. It's a long championship so you always have to try to score points."