AUSTIN – Max Verstappen could also be beginning the 2026 United States Grand Prix from the entrance row of the grid, however the efficiency of his Purple Bull Racing machine has him questioning precisely the place the tempo went come Q3.
In that closing session, the Dutch driver instructed media that he struggled with grip and was left with tires that did not “come alive” when he wanted it most.
Max Verstappen questions lack of tempo in Q3 at US Grand Prix
All through apply forward of the US Grand Prix on the Circuit of The Americas, Max Verstappen has seemed sturdy. Whereas Ferrari has topped the timing charts, the four-time champion has been nipping on the heels of his rivals, ending no decrease than third in any of the three pre-race classes.
Come the essential closing qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, although, Verstappen was left wanting.
“In Q2, it was actually good,” Verstappen instructed media, together with Motorsport Week, within the post-session press convention. “I imply, I did my quick lap in Q2, simply on a used set. So, once I went to Q3, I had excessive hopes, however sadly, yeah, it simply felt unhealthy.
“Like, I simply didn’t actually have the grip that I wished. So, I couldn’t lean on the rear that I wished within the closing sector and it simply price me an excessive amount of time. In fact, while you take a look at the sheets and also you’re beginning P2, it’s good and it’s a great consequence. However I hoped for extra and this was simply not it.
“But when it’s a, let’s say, not an amazing feeling in qualifying, then that’s a P2. There’s no have to then smile and be tremendous joyful about it.”
So quickly after the session, Verstappen wasn’t in a position to pinpoint any specific problem. Whereas he famous that the wind had picked up all through the session, “it’s not an excuse why Q3 felt the way in which it felt for me on the primary run.”
“The second run, for certain, it was influenced by the wind,” he continued, “however yeah, it simply didn’t really feel the identical. Q2 felt nice on a used set and then you definitely suppose, ‘OK, you place a used set on and now it’s time to actually push’ and it simply didn’t come alive.”
Max Verstappen narrowly misses out on pole in Austin
Contemplating his constant tempo all through the weekend and his back-to-back wins within the final two races, Verstappen was a straightforward favourite for pole, however an absence of grip left him settling for P2.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, present championship chief, set a time of 1:34.035 across the Circuit of The Americas and clocked the quickest time shortly after Verstappen set a flying opening lap on used tyres. His time was simply 0.179 seconds slower, and simply 0.036s forward of Purple Bull teammate Isack Hadjar.
Regardless of his frustration with the consequence, it’s a powerful one for the driving force, who has been essential of the bumps plaguing Texas’ Grand Prix observe.
READ MORE – F1 2026 US Grand Prix – Qualifying Outcomes