Max Verstappen declines to celebrate his qualifying performance at the US GP: 'No reason to grin'
Following his second-place qualification for the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen remarked that there is "no reason to smile and be overly joyful" about his results. A lack of traction during Q3 hindered his ability to compete for pole position, which ultimately went to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
The Red Bull racer finished 0.179 seconds behind the talented Italian at the Circuit of the Americas, and only 0.036 seconds ahead of teammate Isack Hadjar in third - marking his best qualifying performance to date. While the Dutch driver seemed poised to contend for pole earlier in the session, an unforeseen deficit in grip left him desiring a better outcome.
“In Q1 and Q2 I felt really good. I completed my first lap in Q2 on a set of used tires,” he noted. “So when I moved to Q3, my expectations were high, but unfortunately, it just didn’t feel right. I didn’t have the grip I needed, which prevented me from pushing the rear as I wanted in the final sector, costing me too much time.
"When you glance at the timing sheets and see you’re starting P2, it’s pleasant and a respectable result, but I was aiming for more, and this wasn’t it. Still, if it’s not an ideal feeling in qualifying and I end up P2, I’ll accept it. But there’s no need to smile and be overly content about it.”
Does he attribute the shift in wind to his struggles?
"The wind definitely picked up, but even so, that doesn’t excuse why Q3 felt different for me compared to the first round. The second round was certainly affected by the wind, but it just didn’t feel the same overall.
"Q2 felt fantastic on a used set, and then you think putting on a new set is the chance to really go for it, yet it just didn’t come to life. That was my impression, but these things can happen."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
He completed only six laps in Q2 to conserve tires but dismissed the idea that the transition from used to new rubber was the cause of his issues.
“Normally, that’s not a problem. I’ve done that many times before. I’ve even qualified once using only two sets,” he explained. “So there’s no reason why Q3 didn’t come together, aside from the last lap where I believe everyone struggled with lap times. It’s something we need to analyze because it’s certainly unusual to feel best on a used set.”
Nonetheless, it is a solid outcome for Red Bull, with Hadjar, who also found comfort on used tires in Q2, right behind him in third.
Verstappen has been vocal against the circuit this weekend, having characterized the bumps at COTA as “unacceptable” and “out of control” on Thursday. From the front row, he will have the opportunity to challenge Antonelli as they ascend the hill into Turn 1, where the most significant bumps are located.
Currently fourth in the standings with 221 points, Verstappen is pursuing his third consecutive victory after wins in Malaysia and Singapore.
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