Explained: Why Verstappen shines in Saudi Arabia but not in Bahrain

After a week filled with crisis meetings and turmoil, Max Verstappen put Red Bull on pole after qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Unexpected, but not entirely, as could be inferred from the words of the Red Bull Racing driver.

One week is not like another, especially not in Formula 1. Max Verstappen in his Red Bull Racing car could barely play more than a minor role at the Bahrain Grand Prix, struggling with braking issues to limp to P6, not wanting to talk to his team post-race, such was his anger.

Now, just a week later in Jeddah, the Dutchman put together yet another stunning lap, this time around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to grab the spotlight and take a fantastic P1 for Sunday's Grand Prix.

The difference between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

But what was so different in Bahrain to Saudi Arabia that allowed Verstappen and the RB21 to come alive and take pole position? The conditions certainly played a role, as well as the layout of both circuits, Verstappen explained: "A few more high-speed corners. The tarmac is completely different, which has a big influence on the tyres as well," the Dutchman stated in Saturday's press conference in Jeddah.

"Naturally, when you have tracks where you need a lot of rotation mid-corner, and long-duration corners, which you have in Bahrain, that's a big problem for us. Here, it just seems to be a little bit more competitive. I'm not saying that it's solved, but at least it gave me an opportunity to push a bit better and deal with the limitations that we have a bit better."

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Whether the limitations of the RB21 can also be masked during the race on the fast circuit of Jeddah will become clear tonight. During the race simulations, Oscar Piastri was about seven-tenths faster than Verstappen earlier this weekend. However, Verstappen will obviously start from the first starting position, and if he manages to hold this position, then the Dutchman has the advantage of clean air.

This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen