\u201cFor sure, qualifying is always crucial in the performance,\u201d said Ferrari<\/a> team principal Vasseur. \u201cThe smaller the gap is between cars, the more true that is… because you are in the group of cars.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s not that you are just one fighting with the guy in front of you. Yes, it will probably be a ‘quali’ championship.\u201d<\/p>\n McLaren<\/a> has widely been regarded as the car to beat this year, but Lando Norris<\/a> could not find a way past Verstappen, while team-mate Piastri was holed up in third.<\/p>\n The pair both pointed to Verstappen\u2019s stunning pole lap as deciding a race<\/a>\u00a0in which they could not find a way past the Dutchman for 53 laps.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing leads at the start<\/p>\n Photo by: Bryn Lennon – Formula 1<\/p>\n \u201cIt was flat-out from start to finish but the pace was too similar to do anything,\u201d said Norris, who still leads the championship having finished second. \u201cMax drove a good race with no mistakes, and it ultimately came down to qualifying positions.\u201d<\/p>\n Piastri added: \u201cWe got close for the overtake a few times, but track position around here is just so important. I think yesterday was the day where you effectively won the race.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ferrari has endured a tough start to the season, victory in the Shanghai sprint race for Lewis Hamilton<\/a> aside, and is currently the clear fourth-fastest team on the grid behind McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744019475_344_max-verstappen-red-bull-racing.jpg\")
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