Max Verstappen still suffering from issue plaguing Red Bull

Max Verstappen is still being affected by bouncing in his Red Bull, despite an improved performance in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Dutchman will line up for the full-distance race at the Lusail International Circuit in third, behind the McLarens, as he looks to keep his fading F1 drivers' championship hopes alive.

Trailing Lando Norris, who is atop the standings with two grands prix to contest, by 25 points, he must outscore the British driver across the 57-lap race to extend his fight to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen had to recover to fourth in the sprint in Qatar after excessive bouncing in his RB21 left him only sixth-fastest in the shorter grid-setting session — and slower than team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who lined up fifth, for the first time.

"I think this qualifying was a little bit better, even though, of course, it is still quite far off," the four-time F1 drivers' champion said after qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

"But at least I felt a little bit happier, but still some limitations that don't allow us to push harder around the lap, but at least we're P3; we are starting on the second row, and it creates better opportunities, because we know that it's quite hard to pass around here."

The 28-year-old added: "So we'll see what we can do tomorrow. Realistically, it's a bit tough this weekend. Just not been what I wanted it to be so far, but we'll see what we can do tomorrow."

However, when asked if the Milton Keynes-based squad had been able to tune out the bouncing that so adversely impacted sprint qualifying, he replied: "No, it's still not amazing."

With tyre stints capped at 25 laps for the 57-lap race, on account of concerns from Pirelli, the two-stop event is likely to be a near flat-out affair.

But a saving grace for Verstappen is that his car was only seriously suffering from the problem on the soft compound tyres, not the mediums and hards.