Max Verstappen was actually the fastest in qualifying for the United States Grand Prix of Formula 1, but he will start sixth in the main race in Austin. This is because his best lap was canceled due to exceeding track limits at turn 19.
This outcome was regretted by the Red Bull champion, who explained what happened: ‘It was a shame to miss out on pole with my lap being canceled, but I knew it would be close at turn 19. I made a mistake at turn one, so I had to really push for the rest of the lap. I didn’t have any understeer or anything, I just tried to maximize the corner and misjudged it. The margins are very thin when you are pushing the limit. Of course, it’s unfortunate, but it makes Sunday’s race more exciting.’
Before the main race, there is the sprint race on Saturday, and Verstappen emphasized that the goal is to leave Austin with a double victory: ‘Now our focus turns to the sprint race, we want to win it and the race on Sunday. It’s a long weekend and anything can happen, I’m going to have fun, that’s for sure.’