It was a Saturday night of entertaining reactions from the entire F1 community, as Max Verstappen squandered his best chance of securing a pole position in the dying minutes of qualifying at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutchman had almost constructed what could have been hailed as the ‘lap of the year’.
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However, a minor mistake amidst pumping adrenaline around the final corner wrecked his entire lap, as the Dutchman ultimately had to settle for a rather disappointing P3.
Reuters
Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen walks away from his car after crashing during qualifying REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Interestingly, the spotlight soon deviated from Verstappen and fell right on Alpine’s Fernando Alonso and Verstappen’s former Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.
Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo’s reaction to the Max Verstappen incident
Both Alonso and Ricciardo failed to qualify for Q3 and hence headed back to the paddock for the post-qualifying interview. Coincidentally, while they were busy interviewing for Ziggo, a world-renowned media house based in the Netherlands, Verstappen was on his final hot lap.
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The lap was on display on the big screen. And Alonso had his heart in his mouth, as he watched Verstappen test the absolute limits of the circuit by pushing his car to the extent of almost colliding into the barriers. And well, while he managed to keep his car safe for 26 corners, he failed to maintain control around the 27th corner.
The Spaniard’s eyes were on the verge of popping out and so was Ricciardo’s, who was standing right next to the Alpine driver. It was indeed quite hilarious to watch their reactions. We’d reckon their reaction was every single one of ours as well.
Twitter reacts to Verstappen’s crash along with Alonso and Ricciardo
Just look at the Ziggo Interview with Alonso and Ricciardo. Everyone was glued to the TV. Everyone felt it.
Me watching Verstappen’s final Q3 run x.com/JimJamTrousers…
That lap was absolutely insane until then from Verstappen.🤯😵💫
Verstappen chokes it when it matters!!!! WOW!!!
Verstappen fan club reacts 😂
Exciting race start on cards?
It is indeed a short run into turn 1, which could mean a more aggressive approach from Verstappen. The Dutchman will look to gain at least a position before the initial set of corners. Of course, Verstappen and Hamilton aren’t the only ones to keep an eye out for.
Reuters
Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – General view of the circuit ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
It’s the entire grid! All cars on high fuel load, with rather cold tires underneath, driving on the newly laid tarmac; there is likely to be quite a lot of locking up of tires around the braking zone of turn 1, which could cause chaos.
So, are we set to witness a busy Sunday evening for the safety car and the marshals? We’ll know in time.
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