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Max Verstappen Finally Has First Pole Position Amid Tough F1 Season | Chattanooga Times Free Press
Toto Wolff said Mercedes will review data after the new package left the team 3 tenths off expectations and out of the top three.
- On Saturday, October 3, Mercedes struggled during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed pole position while drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell qualified fourth and eighth.
- Mercedes introduced a major aerodynamic upgrade package to its W17, but the abrasive Sepang International Circuit surface caused unexpected drag and severe understeer that the team had not encountered all season.
- Team Principal Toto Wolff admitted, "It looks like we are very draggy," while George Russell noted the rough surface was affecting Mercedes more than rivals, describing it as "extremely rough" with tires "going through hell."
- Both Mercedes drivers will gain one grid position due to a five-place penalty for Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, with Antonelli and Russell focused on consolidating their 66-point championship gap during Sunday's race.
- Mercedes is analyzing data to determine whether performance drops stem from the new upgrade or track-specific interactions, aiming to establish base understanding for the W17's development heading into upcoming events.
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Max Verstappen finally has first pole position amid tough F1 season | Chattanooga Times Free Press
Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull took a big step Saturday toward his goal of avoiding a first winless season since his 2015 rookie year.
·Chattanooga, United States
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After qualifying in Sepang, the previous World Cup dominator Mercedes, who only followed despite a car upgrade, was very disappointed.
·Vienna, Austria
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Total News Sources44
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
C 69%
R 23%
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