Marko explains difference between Perez and Verstappen: 'Just no grip'

Sergio Perez is Saturday's big surprise after he took pole position for Sunday's race during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. For Max Verstappen, the session went less well. According to Helmut Marko, the difference between the two drivers is not due to the setup of the car.

While Perez drove to P1 in his final run during Q3, Verstappen had to make do with P4. This puts the Dutchman behind both Ferrari drivers on Sunday. The Dutchman himself doesn't understand it, but according to Marko the difference between the two drivers was clearly due to the grip.

"Their set-up is almost identical. Perez has a different tactic. He went for it on the first lap. Max did a so-called build-up lap, but he didn't get into the rhythm and just didn't have the grip," Marko is quoted on Motorsport-Magazin.com.

First pole for Perez

For Perez, it is an important day in his career, because the Mexican takes his first pole position in Formula 1. Nobody saw Perez's fast lap coming, but with the mixed positions of the Red Bulls and Ferraris, the race promises to be exciting.