Martin Brundle “quietly pleased” over Max Verstappen woes at Saudi Arabian GP

21 March 2023 , 14:03

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Max Verstappen finished second at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after starting 15th on the grid (Image: Getty Images)

Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle said that he was "quietly pleased" over Max Verstappen's qualifying woes at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Dutch driver looked set to take pole position on the Jeddah street circuit after out performing his rivals in practice and early in qualifying. However, the two-time world champion saw his qualifying thwarted by a driveshaft problem in Q2 making his Red Bull undrivable.

Brundle was pleased to see the Dutch driver having to battle from the eighth row before eventually coming through to finish second. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified second fastest but also had to battle through the field after receiving a 10-place grid penalty for an upgrade to his electronics control unit.

"In the end, it was another show of total domination by Red Bull in Jeddah," Brundle said in his column for Sky Sports.

"I have to be honest and say that when Max Verstappen had a driveshaft problem in qualifying meaning that he would start 15th on the grid, I was quietly pleased, relieved, and energised. Nothing against Max and his incredible talent, but at least we would have something to look forward to on race day.

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"With Charles Leclerc's Ferrari also somewhat shockingly taking a grid penalty in just the second round of a 23-race season - for exceeding electronic control unit allowances - and starting down in 12th, there was guaranteed to be some movement."

F1 pundit Martin Brundle was pleased to see Max Verstappen have a mechanical during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix qualifying (PA)

Verstappen's grid penalty opened the door for team-mate Sergio Perez who led the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix from start to finish. However, it wasn't without drama between the Red Bull team-mates as Verstappen took a bonus point for recording the fastest lap of the race in the last moments.

Perez was unaware his team-mate had taken the fastest lap from him until an awkward conversion in the cool down room afterwards.

Max Verstappen was beaten into second by his team-mate Sergio Perez in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

"Perez out front matched whatever his team-mate Verstappen could muster speed-wise and duly won the race in fine style," added Brundle. "His fifth victory, four of which have been on street circuits - but more significantly his first victory when Max was second.

"Verstappen stole the fastest lap championship point on the final tour and that clearly annoyed Perez, who was surprised the team didn't call off the fight when they had a one-two easily in the bag and he was suffering with a longer brake pedal, and unbeknown to him, Max was feeling a vibration in his transmission.

"Team Verstappen were perhaps surprised that Perez could match their pace, and they were no doubt annoyed that it was ultimately the qualifying car issue which prevented Max setting a new record of 16 victories in 21 races.

"And so, as we watch the tensions between the drivers at Red Bull, we patiently await the rest of the field to find some speed. In fact, lots of speed."

Benjamin Goddard