Max Verstappen demoralises F1 grid in final practice session ahead of Saudi qualifying

18.03.2023 - 18:01 news24.com

Red Bull Racing had its name written all over the third and final practice session for this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez traded punches at the top of the timesheet, with the defending champion ultimately putting daylight between him and the rest of the grid.Up until the final 20 minutes of the session, Verstappen was out on track on the Hard tyre while the rest of the grid, including Perez, was on the Softs.

But despite being on the slowest dry-weather tyre available this weekend, only Perez took the fight to the Dutchman.When Verstappen eventually switched to the Softs, he was 0.613 seconds quicker than Perez, setting a 1:28.485 by the session's end.

And perhaps ominously for qualifying and Sunday's race, Verstappen wasn't driving at his car's full potential. There is more performance in the bag!??

formula 1 F1 red bull practice Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Aston Martin Sergio Perez Charles Leclerc Oscar Piastri Saudi Arabia

Double world champion Max Verstappen claimed pole on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, but his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez had a torrid time and will start last. In overcast and cool conditions, Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes was third ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in a tight session that went to the wire. Last year's winner Charles Leclerc came seventh in the Ferrari, with his teammate Carlos Sainz fifth. It was a huge performance from Mercedes, whose W14 has struggled for speed but is clearly improving as they bettered Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso Fastest In Wet Australian Second practice, Max Verstappen Third

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets ahead of Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc in a rain-hit second practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, but world champion Max Verstappen went fastest for the day. The Spanish veteran followed up his podium finishes at the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with another eye-opening run. He powered around the bumpy Albert Park circuit under darkening clouds before rain fell in a best time of one minute 18.887 seconds among his 13 laps, bettering his fourth place in the first one-hour session.

Max Verstappen still not 100% after racing in Saudi Arabia with 'missing lung'

Max Verstappen said he felt like he was racing with one lung in Saudi Arabia and is still not match-fit for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen reveals he was ‘physically limited’ at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - ‘Felt like I was missing a lung’

Max Verstappen has revealed he felt like he was “missing a lung” during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, but “should be alright” ahead of this week’s race in Melbourne. Verstappen missed the pre-race media duties in Jeddah two weeks ago due to a stomach bug but appeared to have no significant issues in the car as he topped all three practice sessions.