The current holder of the Drivers’ Championship achieved a significant milestone for Red Bull by securing their 100th pole position in the history of the team. He completed a lap time of 1:33.660 at the Shanghai International Circuit, placing him more than three tenths ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen recently ended his streak of consecutive pole positions in 2024 after going off track multiple times during the Sprint Qualifying, allowing McLaren’s Lando Norris to claim the top spot. However, the Dutch driver made up for his poor starting positions by winning the subsequent Sprint race in a commanding manner. Lewis Hamilton and Perez completed the podium.
The 26-year-old is aiming for his fifth race victory on Sunday and hopes to extend his lead in the Drivers’ Standings. Verstappen expressed satisfaction with the adjustments made to his RB20 after the Sprint race, which proved to be beneficial during Qualifying.
He stated, “After the Sprint race, we gained some valuable insights for the car, and I believe the car performed even better during Qualifying. I am genuinely pleased with how the entire Qualifying session unfolded. The car was a pleasure to drive, and the final lap in Q3 felt quite promising. I am also delighted to have the opportunity to drive under dry conditions. The track conditions were favorable, making it an enjoyable experience,” Verstappen concluded.
Regarding Red Bull’s achievement of reaching 100 pole positions in Formula 1, Verstappen added, “Prior to the start of Qualifying, Christian informed me that it was possible for us to secure the team’s 100th pole position. It is certainly gratifying to accomplish this milestone here. Overall, it has been a fantastic day.”
When discussing race strategy, Verstappen acknowledged that the conditions for the race are expected to be different from those during Qualifying. He commented, “The strategy will depend on the circumstances we encounter. Tomorrow, the wind is expected to change, which will alter the car’s balance. I am eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s race.”
The Chinese Grand Prix will commence at 08:00 BST (15:00 local time) on Sunday, April 21st. Will Verstappen be able to maintain his dominant form and emerge victorious at the Shanghai International Circuit?