Max Verstappen refused to rule out a win from third place in Saudi Arabia, saying that it was possible if not probable.
It was disappointment for Verstappen as he threw away a surefire pole position and ended up colliding into the wall. The setback left him in third place at a track that doesn’t look very promising for overtaking.
The Dutchman’s mistake in qualifying also meant his championship rival took pole position. With only eight points separating them in the former’s favour, there is a genuine chance he may slip down to second in the championship by the end of Sunday.
Nevertheless, Verstappen refused to rule out a win in Saudi Arabia, and stated that he would fight despite the odds stacked against him.
“Well at least it seems we can fight. In Qatar, we were really off the pace,” he said, as quoted by crash.net.
“It seems our car is working a bit better here. I hope, that tomorrow at this track, we can follow well and if that’s the case, we have a good shot at it.
“I haven’t really followed a car around here so it’s a bit difficult to say, so I hope it’s going to be alright. It’s not only that, we don’t really know the tyres, how they’re going to behave.
“I’m confident, of course, I would’ve liked to have started first, but now starting third is a bit more difficult. But definitely not impossible.”
Good Sunday needed
Despite the costly error, Verstappen sought the positives, and said that at least his time around, the car was competitive on Middle East soil.
“Today I’m upset with myself but it’s still two races to go, lots of things can happen,” he added.
“I feel good with the car, luckily we’ve been competitive, not like Qatar where we’ve been off.
“It’s a nice battle, it’s exciting, you go into a session not knowing who’s going to be ahead of the two teams. I think that’s always really cool for everyone. Hopefully it’s going to be the same tomorrow,” he concluded.
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