Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 18, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Verstappen: ‘Anything is possible’ after Red Bull issues in Saudi Arabia

The Dutchman was forced out of qualifying in Jeddah after his car gave up on him

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen believes “anything is possible” as the reigning World Champions will need to work his way through the F1 field after his RB19 suffered from a driveshaft issue in Q2, prematurely knocking the Dutchman out of Qualifying in Saudi Arabia.

Sparks fly behind Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 18, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Despite looking destined for P1, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen failed to progress from Q2 in Jeddah

Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez clinched pole position as Red Bull continued to flex their speed in the desert, an attribute that will very much be in the Dutchman’s favour.

When reminded that Fernando Alonso once won the Singapore Grand Prix from P15, Verstappen admitted that there is a chance that he can stage an incredible fight to the front.

“I mean, anything is possible at this track,” said the two-time World Champion in his post-quali interview.

“We’ve seen a lot of crazy things, but also we’ll stay realistic.

“I mean, it’s going to be tough, but we have good pace. So for sure, we’ll move forward.”

Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L) stands in their garage after being knocked out during the qualifying session of the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on March 18, 2023.
The Red Bulls will be spaced out since Verstappen will start from P15 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Getty Images)

The sound that emerged from Verstappen’s car was concerning, with the driver himself saying that the car “didn’t sound good” whilst limping back to the pit lane.

“Coming out of turn ten it happened, which is very annoying for it to happen,” recalled the 25-year-old.

“I mean, I think we so far had a really good weekend.

“Every session was going really well and every time we were on the track, the car was working really well.

“So now it will be a bit more tricky to get to the front, but it’s all about scoring points.

“I mean, very low season, of course, I would have hoped to at the start a bit further up the road, but we cannot change that now.”

Sunday’s race has all the ingredients to provide Formula 1 fans with a fantastic spectacle as four different constructors lock up the first and second rows.

Feature Image credit: Getty Images

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