Verstappen thinks gap to competition has reduced in 2023

Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position for the second year in a row. Last year, he managed to turn this pole position into a victory, but Verstappen believes the competition is closer than last year.

During the free practice sessions, Red Bull Racing did not show their strongest side. In the second free practice, it seemed that Mercedes led the way, and in the third free practice, it was Ferrari that impressed. Verstappen's team were still a bit behind, but in qualifying, performance improved. This eventually resulted in pole position for the three-time world champion

Verstappen believes the difference was bigger last year. Red Bull then achieved a 'one-two' in both qualifying and the race. It seemed abundantly clear then that the Austrian racing team had built the fastest car.

However, Verstappen says he thinks it will be closer this year: "It feels like it, because all the way until qualifying, I didn't have a good feeling, where last year I think it was a bit better. We were a bit stronger, tried the whole weekend. So, we'll see how that will go."