Max Verstappen Expresses Doubts About Title Chances After Bahrain Qualifying

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen expressed pessimism about his chances of winning the 2023 Formula 1 world championship after finishing seventh in Bahrain qualifying. The Dutch driver, who had already scraped through to Q3 alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda, complained about a lack of grip and brake issues with his Red Bull RB21 car.

Verstappen Fears Red Bull’s Performance Lags Behind McLaren

Speaking to Dutch media after the session, including Motorsport.com, Verstappen admitted that McLaren is not currently his main rival. He stated, “I am just taking part in this world championship.” When pressed by Motorsport.com on whether he didn’t see himself competing for the actual title, he replied, “No, I don’t.

At Japan’s low-degradation Suzuka circuit, Verstappen managed to take pole with a magical qualifying lap, while the McLarens slipped up. However, on the high-degradation, high-temperature Sakhir track, the four-time world champion feels there is no place for Red Bull to hide its shortcomings.

If you look at the gap to McLaren I’m not surprised,” he explained. “I already told the team during the winter test here that the gap is half a second, and that proves to be the case, so I was right in that respect. If you look at the entire season, I don’t think we ever really had a chance.

Red Bull Tried Everything but Failed to Improve Grid Position

Verstappen doesn’t feel there is anything else the squad could have done to be higher on the grid. “We have tried everything we could on the car and nothing works, so that’s not the issue. If I had to do qualifying again, then I have no idea what else we could have changed. We tried everything that makes sense at this track.

Verstappen Hopes for a Podium Finish in Bahrain Race

Offering his thoughts on moving up in the race, Verstappen said, “Lando [Norris] normally just drives to the front, with the speed they have. Of course, there’s an Alpine [of Pierre Gasly] that could drop back, but other than that it will be tough to move up because our pace is all similar. I will do my best, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough for a podium or sixth.