As qualifying unfolded in Austin, it initially seemed that the contest for pole position was set to be a showdown between Max Verstappen and the Ferrari drivers. However, by the end of the session, neither Ferrari car managed to secure a position in the top three, allowing Kimi Antonelli to step in as an unexpected challenger.
Verstappen ended up in second place, and his comments during the media session highlighted his acceptance of this starting slot while expressing that there remained untapped potential.
This was particularly illustrated by a stunning Q2 lap where Verstappen, using worn tyres, outpaced some competitors who had fresh rubber, putting him in a strong position for a possible third consecutive pole.
When Autosport probed Verstappen about the surprising disparity he experienced during Q3 compared to Q2, the four-time world champion remarked: “The grip just wasn’t the same for me. It’s as straightforward as that.”
“I couldn’t maintain the speed I desired through the slower corners like before. It’s something we need to delve into further, as there definitely was more to extract. I just couldn’t get it from the car in Q3.”
The wind conditions seem to have played a significant role in this narrative. Towards the end of Q3, numerous drivers faced challenges due to wind gusts, resulting in only three drivers managing to improve their times on their subsequent runs. Lando Norris described experiencing some of the most intense wind gusts he has encountered, causing him to lock up even though he adjusted his braking point.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP via Getty Images
Verstappen pointed out, however, that the gusty winds did not fully account for the outcome of Q3.
“During my last run, the wind was quite troublesome, but it wasn’t an issue on my initial run. Therefore, it’s puzzling why the result was disappointing. Regardless, if second place is what I achieve, I’m content with that.”
Ferrari’s performance also declined in Q3, as Charles Leclerc—much like George Russell—mentioned the thicker cloud cover and decreasing track temperatures, which pushed their Pirelli tyres beyond the optimal operating range.
Red Bull’s Resilience on Challenging Days
Nonetheless, the qualifying session in Austin highlighted the advancements Red Bull has made over the past several weeks, particularly following the updates they implemented in Baku. On a day where neither driver felt entirely satisfied with their car’s performance, the team still clinched second and third positions on the starting grid.
This is a significant shift from the early part of the season, when Red Bull frequently found themselves in the seventh or eighth positions on challenging days, lagging at the back of the top four teams.
Verstappen acknowledged this shift and noted that the qualifying results in Austin reflected the team’s recent rebound.
“Absolutely. It’s evident that the car has improved significantly over the recent weekends. I’ve stated in the past that certain circuits will naturally favor us more than others. This track seems reasonable, though I’d say Singapore and Malaysia were much more suited to our car.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Regardless, Verstappen’s race pace in Austin appeared to be very promising during Friday’s session, instilling confidence for the race ahead on Sunday.
“Typically, yes. It can be tough to accurately gauge who’s going to be the fastest during the race, but we’ve been reasonably strong over the past few weekends. I’m optimistic that the set-up we have is heading in the right direction for the race.”
A key question remains about the start for Red Bull; nevertheless, starting from second position on the grid could provide advantageous opportunities if Verstappen executes a solid getaway.
“Yes, but I try not to dwell on that excessively. If an opportunity to overtake arises at the first corner, so be it. If not, this remains a lengthy race where numerous variables can shift. With good balance and ample speed in the car, it’s possible to strategize effectively or pass competitors on the track.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
