Red Bull’s Max Verstappen delivered a stunning one-lap performance during the F1 US GP Qualifying, securing pole position after a tense session in Austin.
Following a chaotic F1 US GP Sprint Race earlier on Saturday, which saw Max Verstappen lead from start to finish after securing pole in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying, the Dutchman carried that momentum into the main Qualifying session for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Verstappen once again claimed pole position, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in P2, with Oscar Piastri set to start from P6 after a challenging final run in Q3.
Verstappen’s Pole Position lap
Verstappen’s pole-setting lap came midway through Q3, as his final flying lap attempt was cut short when he missed the start line just as the chequered flag was waved.
Speaking to the media after the session, Verstappen reflected on the challenge of piecing together a clean lap at Circuit of the Americas, noting that the heat and gusty winds made conditions particularly tricky. He added that despite the difficulties, he was pleased to have delivered a strong lap when it mattered most.
“Yeah, it was good. I think every segment the car was very strong. Just trying to put the lap together around here sometimes can be quite tricky. Also, it’s very hot, very strong winds as well. And then in that first sector, having a tailwind is challenging, let’s say it like that.
“Yeah, the first run in Q3 was good, just managed to improve a little bit from Q2 unfortunately, and I couldn’t do my final run. It was a bit messy with the out laps. But luckily, like you said, we didn’t need it. So, yeah, for us, again, a very strong result.”
The Dutchman was then asked about how the track had evolved, from yesterday’s sessions to today’s Sprint Race, and how it had changed again heading into Qualifying.
“Yeah, again, just tricky with the wind. The wind picked up today compared to yesterday, and it managed to turn as well, a little bit. So, like a full-on tailwind into all the ‘Esses’, and with that you just lose downforce. So the car is moving around a lot more even compared to yesterday. That made it a bit harder. Of course, in some corners you gain a bit of lap time back, but you can’t commit as much as you normally can in Sector 1.“
A step forward from yesterday’s Sprint Qualifying session
Verstappen noted that the Red Bull felt stronger today in the F1 US GP Qualifying session compared to Friday, even though the changing track conditions made it harder to stay consistent throughout the sessions.
“Yeah. It was, I think, a good qualifying. I think the conditions weren’t easy, with stronger winds today compared to yesterday. So, Sector 1, yeah, it was a bit harder to be consistent because the car was moving around everywhere.
“But I guess everyone, of course, is in the same boat with that. And then, yeah, just Q1, Q2, just trying to progress every time with the lap time. I didn’t feel like in Q3 the track was actually any better — maybe slightly worse, actually, I think for a lot of people. But, yeah, just trying to find a little bit more pace. And luckily it was there in the car, so just seemed a little step forward compared to yesterday’s qualifying.”
Five minutes into Q1, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar lost control at Turn 6, spinning into the wall. When asked if the crash affected the track, Verstappen said it mainly served as a reminder to other drivers that conditions were tricky in that section.
“I think it just made you aware that it was quite tricky around there, which was the case throughout the whole qualifying. The car was quite loose in that area, so I can understand what happened there. And, yeah, you just had to deal with that for the rest of qualifying.”
Reflecting on the conditions on track today to tomorrow
In the earlier Sprint Race, Verstappen experienced the new track and changing weather conditions for the first time. He faced several moments where the rear of his Red Bull lost grip, which he expressed that he wasn’t overly happy with during the race.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Grand Prix, Verstappen said he was unsure how the race would unfold but felt more comfortable in the car compared to yesterday’s qualifying. He hopes the adjustments made between sessions will be enough to keep him at the front for the F1 US GP.
“Yeah. I hope it’s better for tomorrow. It’s difficult to say right now what will happen, of course, also tomorrow. But at least I felt a bit happier with the car compared to yesterday’s qualifying, and I hope that’s enough then for the race tomorrow.”
Additionally, when asked if he thought he could stay ahead of McLaren in tomorrow’s race, Verstappen admitted he wasn’t entirely sure. However, he expressed confidence in the car’s capabilities and hopes to demonstrate that on track during the F1 US GP.
“Yeah. I mean, I don’t know. I mean, we changed some things on the car and hopefully that will help tomorrow, and that’s the most important. But, yeah, we’ll find out. I mean, I don’t really think about it too much. I’m confident that I think we improved the car and hopefully we can show that.”
Missing out on his final push at the line
Verstappen was just seconds from completing a second flying lap in the session when the chequered flag came out, preventing him from improving. Fortunately, his earlier lap was fast enough to secure pole position, though the delay was partly caused by cars ahead trying to leave gaps and managing their out-laps.
“Yeah. There were just some people in front that were just leaving like ten seconds, easily. So, yeah, then you just run out of time. Then I had two cars in front of me. They were racing as well. I think they set purple sectors on the out lap. Yeah. That’s not ideal. So, yeah, we just ran out of time.”
