La Gazetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport are stunned after qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Where everyone expected Max Verstappen to be dominant, the Dutchman did not go out after Q2 due to a broken drive shaft. According to the Italian media, Verstappen’s miracle car could not hold sway on Saturday this time.
The two-time world champion was on his way to set a very fast lap in Q2, but then the viewer could see Verstappen suddenly driving slowly to the side of the track. The Dutchman had to return to his team’s pit box because his drive shaft was broken, after the gearbox change. According to La Gazatta, there was a certain vulnerability for the first time in the Austrian racing team. ‘Suddenly something broke in the car. The wonder car designed by Adrian Newey finally showed a sign of fragility.
In any case, La Gazetta still expects a lot from the Dutchman. Verstappen will have to catch up from P15, but the data on the top speed of the RB19 is promising. Regardless of the downforce adjustments, it seems that Red Bull will not have to sacrifice top speed, which will also give an advantage here in Jeddah. “Given his great performance this weekend, we are not counting on victory outside of Verstappen.” Corriere dello Sport was also very surprised that Verstappen would not be on pole position for the race. “The RB19 just stopped working.”
Corriere dello Sport thinks about the previous year in Jeddah
Despite the fact that the Italian medium saw that Verstappen stopped his car, it is not very worried about Sunday afternoon. “In 2022 we saw the same incident. Then Red Bull also had problems, but then they still managed to win the race,” writes Corriere dello Sport, who recalls how Verstappen won the race after a fight with Charles Leclerc. Also now the Italians provide excitement and sensation with Leclerc and Verstappen in the back.
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