Formula 1: Max Verstappen believes he has no chance of beating Charles Leclerc for the 2022 title race: The reigning champion Max Verstappen has revealed that he is not expecting to beat Charles Leclerc to this year’s Formula 1 title. Red Bull are facing reliability issues which have seen Verstappen retire twice from just three races. Verstappen retired from the Bahrain Grand Prix due to a fuel pump issue and then from the Australian Grand Prix after having a fuel leak. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Max told Sky Sports, “At the moment, there is no reason to believe in it” after his fading hopes of beating Leclerc to the Drivers title. Verstappen trails Leclerc by 46 points after three races in the 2022 season.
Formula 1: Defending WORLD CHAMPION Max Verstappen believes he has NO CHANCE of beating Charles Leclerc in 2022 title race
The season opener saw both the Red Bull cars retire in the latter part of the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, Verstappen stepped up and won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a duel with Leclerc. But, Red Bull again had problems with their car as Verstappen once again had to retire from the Australian Grand Prix. It was looking like a comfortable P2 for him but he had to retire and settle for zero points.
Heartbreak for Max Verstappen in Australia 💔
An podium opportunity missed for the Dutchman after a strong showing ended prematurely with a car problem 😫#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/DXeOAe1r4X
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 10, 2022
The next race is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix where Verstappen won last year ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull have their work cut out as they need to get on top of their issues. Red Bull might have thought of starting the season with a bang but they see themselves in catch-up mode after the first three races.
The Austrian brand managed to develop a quick car for the 2022 season. Even Christian Horner insisted that once they get on top of the reliability issues, Red Bull will be a force to reckon with.
Horner says, “I think as Max said, we didn’t have the pace to race Charles today. Ferrari were in a league of their own. But it’s frustrating not to be bagging those points. We can’t accept DNFs but we need to understand what the issue is and address it. I’d rather fix a fast car than try and make a reliable, slow one fast. We need to get on top of it.”
Formula 1: Defending WORLD CHAMPION Max Verstappen believes he has NO CHANCE of beating Charles Leclerc in 2022 title race
“You could see the front tyres open up quite quickly in the race. That’s usually the sign that you haven’t got your balance totally tuned in.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari will be desperate to continue with their superb form and take advantage of Red Bull’s poor form this season. Charles Leclerc has emerged as the new favorite to clinch the Drivers’ title this year. Leclerc won the season opener in Bahrain and then the Australian Grand Prix as well.
Whereas, his team-mate Carlos Sainz will be raring to go after being retired from the Australian Grand Prix. Both the Ferrari drivers look comfortable and could mount serious problems for the other nine teams on the grid.
Formula 1: Defending WORLD CHAMPION Max Verstappen believes he has NO CHANCE of beating Charles Leclerc in 2022 title race
Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
