Key Highlights
- Max Verstappen qualified second for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing 0.179 seconds behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli.
- The Red Bull Racing driver expressed frustration over an unexplained loss of rear grip in Q3 after showing strong pace on used tires earlier in the session.
- Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar secured his career-best qualifying result in third, just 0.036 seconds behind Verstappen on the grid.
Grip Issues Derail Max Verstappen’s Push for COTA Pole
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen secured a front-row start for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, but the reigning world champion was far from satisfied with his qualifying execution. Despite finishing second on the timesheets, Verstappen conceded there is “no need to smile and be super happy” after a mysterious drop in grip during the decisive Q3 phase prevented him from mounting a proper challenge for pole position.
Pole position ultimately went to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who led Verstappen by 0.179 seconds. Verstappen only narrowly edged out his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, who delivered his best qualifying result to date in third place, trailing the Dutchman by just 0.036 seconds. Earlier in the session, Verstappen appeared poised to fight for the top spot before the handling balance deteriorated when it mattered most.
Reflecting on the session, Verstappen explained how his confidence evaporated between rounds:
“Q1 and Q2 I felt really good. I mean, I did my first lap in Q2 just on a used set. So when I went to Q3, I had high hopes, but unfortunately, it just felt bad. Like I just didn’t really have the grip that I wanted, so I couldn’t lean on the rear that I wanted in the final sector and that just cost me too much time.”
He continued: “And then I mean, when you look at the sheets and you are starting P2 it’s nice and it’s a good result, but I was hoping for more and this was just not it. But if it’s, let’s say, not a great feeling in qualifying and then that’s a P2, I’ll take it. But there’s no need to then smile and be super happy about it.”
Wind and Tire Mysteries at Circuit of the Americas
Conditions shifted during the latter stages of qualifying as gusty winds hit the Austin venue, but Verstappen refused to place the blame entirely on the weather. When asked whether the rising winds disrupted the RB20, the Dutchman noted that environmental factors alone could not account for the handling deficits felt early in Q3.
“The wind for sure picked up, but even with that it’s not an excuse why Q3 felt like… the way it felt for me in the first round. The second round for sure it was influenced by the wind, but yeah, it just it just didn’t feel the same,” Verstappen said. “Q2 felt great on a used set and then you think okay, you put a new set on now it’s time to to really push and it just didn’t come alive. That was my feeling but that can happen.”
Verstappen completed only six laps during Q2 in an effort to conserve fresh rubber for the race, but he dismissed theories that alternating between scrubbed and brand-new tires upset the car’s setup balance.
“No problem normally. I’ve done that many times before. I’ve even qualified once with only two sets,” he revealed. “So yeah, there is no explanation why in Q3 it just didn’t come together, or apart from the last lap where I think everyone struggled for lap time. But it’s something that we have to look at because it’s very odd of course that you have, let’s say, the best feeling on a used set.”
Why This Matters
Despite Verstappen’s disappointment, Red Bull locked down the second and third grid positions, presenting a strong team foundation against Antonelli and Mercedes for Sunday’s grand prix. Track position at the Circuit of the Americas will be critical into the uphill Turn 1, an area Verstappen will aim to exploit at the start.
The Dutchman has been an outspoken critic of track conditions throughout the race weekend, previously calling the bumps at COTA “unacceptable” and “out of control.” Running from second on the grid puts him on the direct uphill approach to Turn 1, right where the circuit’s most severe bumps are situated. Verstappen currently sits fourth in the drivers’ championship standings with 221 points and enters the Grand Prix aiming for a third consecutive victory following his recent back-to-back wins in Malaysia and Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Max Verstappen start the United States Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen will start the United States Grand Prix from second position on the front row of the grid, directly behind Mercedes pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli and ahead of his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar in third.
Why was Max Verstappen unhappy with qualifying P2?
Verstappen experienced an unexpected drop in rear-end grip during Q3, which prevented him from pushing through the final sector. Because his car felt stronger on used tires during Q1 and Q2, he felt Red Bull missed an opportunity to capture pole position.
What is Max Verstappen’s recent race form entering the US GP?
Verstappen entered the Austin weekend fourth in the World Championship standings with 221 points, seeking a third straight Grand Prix win after taking consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore.
