After a difficult qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s United States Grand Prix from sixth on the grid.
Despite qualifying taking place on Friday night because it was a sprint weekend, the track temperature in Austin, Texas, was still in the low 40s.
Verstappen had won the lone practice session of the weekend before to qualifying, but Free Practice 1 was a blatant sign that it wouldn’t be a normal dominant weekend for either Verstappen or Red Bull.
His final lap time had originally earned him the provisional pole position in Q3, but it was later removed because he had exceeded track limitations coming out of the penultimate corner.
After locking-up at Turn 1, Verstappen had to push exceptionally hard, which cost him crucial time.
The three-time World Champion’s RB19 was shaken when he clipped too much of the inside curb at the penultimate corner, causing him to go wide.
Charles Leclerc will start from the pole position, ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, as a result of his best time having been eliminated.
Verstappen may not make it to the front on Sunday since Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes all appear strong at COTA.
Even his first flying lap in Q3 was ruined when he ran with his teammate as he entered the last curve.
Perez was ready to begin his first hot lap as Verstappen was attempting to finish his first one because the Mexican’s car’s turbulent air had caused the Dutchman’s car to become unsteady at the last corner.
As a result, Verstappen’s back ended snapped, maybe costing him a tenth of a second.
The 26-year-old was enraged with Red Bull for allowing the incident to occur because it was a blatant example of poor strategic management.
Verstappen was far from happy and made his feelings known over the team radio.
Well done, Verstappen sarcastically said before adding, “Well f***ing done there! What the f*** was that in the last corner?” he asked.
Verstappen would probably be starting from P5 rather than P6, if he hadn’t lost a tenth of a second in the penultimate corner on his first hot lap in Q3.
Given that he will be starting from the unclean side of the grid on Sunday, this might significantly alter the outcome.
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