Max Verstappen is usually absolutely top in the rain, but during sprint qualifying the three-time world champion had to let no fewer than three other drivers go ahead and be satisfied with the fourth fastest time. Verstappen said he found it very difficult to grip, and the conditions were very treacherous at the Shanghai International Circuit.
“It was incredibly smooth,” Verstappen begins his review of the sprint qualifying. “I had trouble getting the temperature into the tires. It was difficult to keep the car on the track. It felt like I was driving on ice. I think it is therefore justified where we are in this qualification. It didn’t work for me in the wet conditions. I think we are very good in the dry, so I am happy with that.”
As far as the sprint race is concerned, he expects to have opportunities to make up ground, so a victory is certainly not excluded.
“There are certainly opportunities. It is not ideal to start on the inside here, because there is a lot less grip. We need to get the best possible start and then it will be a long stint on one set of tires in the sprint. That will make it very interesting.”