Max Verstappen has the advantage after the qualifying session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutch driver will start on pole position ahead of title rival Lewis Hamilton; the championship leader put on a scorching lap to finish ahead of Lewis.

Verstappen also has another slight advantage going into the race as he would start on the soft tires. This will give him an advantage during the initial launch and the first few laps. But there is some worry as Hamilton‘s medium tire will be more robust and will go longer into the race.

But Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is confident that Verstappen can make the most of his tires. He also mentioned that the soft tires can also go longer if necessary.

“It also depends on the temperatures. Pole is a pole, and it is clear that we will shape that from the front. Again, it’s much easier than attacking from behind,” said Marko.

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I felt good also in the long run on the soft: Max Verstappen

As reported by ESPN, the good thing is that Verstappen did his long run in P2 on the soft tires and he was fastest during that time even after completing 10 laps. But he clarified it was not his original plan to start on the soft tires.

“Naturally, it wasn’t the plan, because I wanted to start on the medium, but I flat-spotted that one. But I felt good also in the long run on the soft, so it was not really a difficult decision to make to then switch to just focusing on the soft,” said Verstappen.

All said and done, it is fair to say that Red Bull has gambled with their tire strategy. Let us see if their gamble pays off in the end or will they play catch up to Mercedes in the race.

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