Verstappen pinning hopes on weather after Q1 exit

Max Verstappen will be launching his race from 17th tomorrow as a result of an engine issue which thwarted the Red Bull driver's efforts at the outset in qualifying.

Verstappen initially qualified 19th but gets to move up two spots on the grid following grid penalties handed out to Jolyon Palmer and Romain Grosjean for failing to slow enough under double waved yellow flags when Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at the final corner.

Despite changing engine modes, his team's engineers could not fix the power unit mapping and software problem right away, forcing the Dutchman to compose with a power deficit.

"We had problems straight away – no power," said Verstappen.

"The guys will investigate this evening and I’m confident they can resolve it for the race. It is of course very unfortunate but these things happen and we need to move on."

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Obviously, the prospect of rain tomorrow could help equalize relative performance and play into the skilled hands and daring talent of Max Verstappen.

But the 19-year-old will just make do with the cards he is dealt.

"A bit of rain tomorrow will definitely help us but I think even in the wet it will be tough to challenge Ferrari and Mercedes.

"We need to concentrate on what we have and do the best we can. I will go home tonight, get some good rest and sleep, then come to the track ready to attack on what will hopefully be a wet track.

"If it is dry tomorrow you lose too much time starting from where I am on the grid. We will see, some good overtakes and exciting racing is what I’m hoping for."

Gallery: All the pictures from Saturday's action in Shanghai

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