Max has got his work cut out in Bahrain

Published on 21 November 2013 by Niels Hendrix

Two days before the final of the deciding round of the CIK-FIA World Championship KF at the Viva Karting Track in Sakhir, the drivers completed their last free practice sessions and participated in qualifying practice. Max Verstappen, leader in the championship after winning the first round at the PF International Circuit in Brandon (Great Britain), experienced a mixed day.

When the teams arrived at the venue, they encountered a flooded track due to severe rain. However, after the efforts of the organisation to clear the circuit, the drivers we ready for action. Max had to settle for fifth in the first free practice, a tenth adrift from fastest man Andreas Hansen. However, the outright favourite for the title retaliated straight away with a commanding fastest time of 51,112s in FP2 before topping the leader boards with a 51.121 in the third and final free practice.

After that it was serious business in qualifying practice. The times set in this session determine the starting grid for the qualifying heats on Friday. Max ends the session in a disappointing ninth position, almost two tenths off the time set by Dorian Boccolacci.

When speaking to Max after a day with ups and downs, he is heavily disappointed: "We were quick from the start in free practice 1 and 2. Then we put on a fresh set of tyres and the pace was gone. It's very disappointing but it seems several drivers encountered the same problems so perhaps it's a tyre issue. It's all very frustrating losing two tenths without knowing where we lost them."

This means Max has got it all to do tomorrow, starting from ninth. To gain a good starting position for the prefinal on Saturday, the 16-year old will have to work his way through the pack. However, if anyone can do it, it is Max. His tremendous string of results this year, only confirm this.

Friday will see Max contest in three qualifying heats, the prefinals and final follow on Saturday. So far the rapid Dutchman has won every single event he participated in this year, a unique achievement in karting. Will he become a living karting legend by clinching the world title in the KF category? We will find out this Saturday! There will be a live stream available so do not miss this special day!

The event schedule for Max (KF category):

Friday November 22
13.25-13.45 Warm up (odd numbers)
15.20-15.35 Qualifying heat 1
16.40-16.55 Qualifying heat 2
18.40-18.55 Qualifying heat 3

Saturday November 23
13.40-14.00 Warm up (odd numbers)
15.20-15.50 Drivers' presentation
16.20-16.40 Prefinal (20km)
19.20-19.50 Final (30km)

Live timing is available at www.cikfiachampionship.com/live_timing.asp. The live stream will be available on Saturday afternoon: www.cikfiachampionship.com/live_streaming.asp.
You can find the latest new on the Verstappen Twitter (http://twitter.com/VerstappenFans) Max' personal Twitter account (http://twitter.com/MaxVerstappen3) and of course, on a daily basis, on the Verstappen Info Page. Do not forget to 'like' us on Facebook!

Results (Thursday) of the 2nd round of the CIK-FIA World Championship 2013 (KF category):
Results free practice 1 (odd numbers)
Results free practice 2 (odd numbers)
Results free practice 3 (odd numbers)
Results qualifying practice

Johan Peeters / Stefan Meens