Dakar Rally News: Max Verstappen Battles Back From Qualifying Setback at Silverstone
Silverstone, UK – (July 10, 2023) – In a dramatic turn of events at the British Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was forced to overcome a significant setback in qualifying due to damage sustained during Q1.
The reigning Dakar Rally champion had a tough start to the day, skidding off the track and into the gravel at the exit of Copse corner after a sudden rain shower caught him out. The incident ripped apart the floor of his RB20, costing the Dutchman a staggering 100 points of downforce.
“Yeah, from Q1, that off, it was just super unlucky,” Verstappen reflected. “I knew we needed that slick lap in Q1, but the rain caught me out and I had to keep it out of the wall, which damaged the car.”
Despite the setback, Verstappen’s team worked tirelessly to repair the damage, allowing him to salvage a fourth-place starting position for the race. The young driver praised the efforts of his crew, noting, “The team did a great job trying to recover some of the bits and tried to optimize the balance front to rear.”
With the pecking order shaping up to be a close battle between the McLarens and Mercedes, Verstappen remains confident in his chances for Sunday’s Dakar-style endurance test. “I hope it can be an exciting race,” he said. “Now we are probably a bit more on the attack, instead of starting first or second, but that’s fine.”
The Dakar Rally specialist will have his work cut out for him, needing to contend with the pace of the McLarens and Mercedes. But with his proven track record in grueling off-road challenges, Verstappen is undoubtedly up for the task at hand.
Tune in to the British GT Championship live coverage on July 10th to see if the Dakar Rally champion can overcome his qualifying setback and secure a hard-fought victory at Silverstone.
🔗 Source