Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Verstappen stays an enormous risk even from fifteenth

Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen will begin the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in fifteenth place however none of his rivals had been ruling out the Method One championship chief preventing for victory on Sunday.

The double world champion was sidelined by a sudden driveshaft failure in qualifying on Saturday after dominating each observe session.

Mexican teammate Sergio Perez will begin from the highest slot as a substitute, for the second 12 months in a row in Jeddah, however conscious {that a} security automotive interlude wrecked his possibilities in 2022 when Verstappen gained.

The Dutch driver began fourth that point.

“I think tomorrow, there is no doubt that he will be on the podium, probably, minimum,” stated Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who begins on the entrance row.

“Like Fernando says, so many things can happen in a race, you know, but I do expect him to come back,” agreed Perez, who stated he would concentrate on his personal race slightly than the ‘lion behind’.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who certified third on a circuit the place overtaking is comparatively simple, anticipated to see Verstappen in his mirrors.

“When you’ve got a car that quick you can kind of do whatever you want,” stated the Briton, who predicted after the Bahrain season-opener that Purple Bull might win each race this season.

“We saw what Max did last year from 15th in Spa and he’s got a faster race car this year.”

Verstappen gained in Belgium final 12 months from 14th on the grid, after being certainly one of eight drivers to take engine penalties, whereas Perez began second.

“Maybe they’ve done it on purpose to win from all the way back,” joked Mercedes staff boss Toto Wolff.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will begin twelfth after qualifying second however with a ten place grid drop, stated Purple Bull had been on one other planet.

Former Mercedes driver and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg additionally chipped in on Sky Sports activities tv. “(From) 15th seems like a bit too much to ask. But with that lucky safety car, it could be possible,” he stated.

Fellow pundit and 1996 champion Damon Hill agreed: “Max has got the car to do it provided it’s reliable. “He’s got the car and the speed to be able to carve his way through the pack, he’s just got to stay out of trouble.”

Purple Bull boss Christian Horner most well-liked to reward Perez’s pole lap.

“It’s a great opportunity for Checo (Perez), important to convert that (pole),” he stated. “We’re going to have two different races going on in the grand prix tomorrow.”