Max Verstappen will start the Las Vegas Grand Prix in fifth place, just ahead of title rival Lando Norris, after what he described as a “painful session” during qualifying. Despite the struggles, Verstappen expressed gratitude for Lewis Hamilton’s mistakes, which ultimately granted the Red Bull driver an additional position on the starting grid.
A Difficult Weekend for Red Bull
The Red Bull team faced notable challenges throughout the weekend, particularly with its rear wing. The wing generated excessive drag on the circuit’s long 1.2-mile straight, forcing the team to make adjustments. However, these changes came at the cost of overall efficiency, putting Verstappen at a disadvantage compared to his competitors.
Reflecting on the session, Verstappen highlighted the difficulties the team faced with tire performance and aerodynamic efficiency.
“We know that with our wing, you naturally lose top speed, especially with the DRS open. It’s a bit of a handicap we have to deal with on tracks like this,” Verstappen told reporters, including RacingNews365.
Verstappen admitted that despite their best efforts, the car remained slower than ideal, especially on the straights.
“We optimized as a team, but it’s still too slow. Half of the issue is on the straights. The wing isn’t efficient, but we hope the close DRS battles during the race will level things out,” he added.
Hamilton’s Missteps Provide a Boost
Hamilton’s struggles during Q3 worked to Verstappen’s advantage. The Mercedes driver failed to set a competitive lap after making mistakes on both attempts, leaving him in 10th place.
“We got a bit lucky with Lewis not putting in a lap; otherwise we would have been P6,” Verstappen admitted.
While Hamilton’s teammate George Russell claimed pole position, Verstappen will share the third row with Norris, whom he needs to outscore to clinch his fourth consecutive world title.
Tire Management Remains Key
Verstappen expressed hope that his team’s changes would improve tire management, a crucial factor for the race. The Red Bull struggled to get the tires into the optimal operating window during qualifying, contributing to their difficulties.
“It will be difficult, but hopefully we’re decent on tires. We’ve made some changes that should help,” Verstappen said.
A Tight Race Ahead
With DRS (Drag Reduction System) expected to play a significant role, Verstappen acknowledged the challenges of competing with reduced DRS effectiveness. He remained cautiously optimistic about improving during the race, especially with tire performance being a potential strength.
“When you trim the DRS, you lose its effect, and that’s painful in qualifying. But in the race, hopefully, things balance out,” Verstappen explained.
The Grid Battle
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaches, Verstappen starts from fifth, with Lando Norris directly behind him. Both drivers will be eyeing strong finishes, with Verstappen needing to stay ahead to secure his championship goals. Meanwhile, Mercedes looks strong, with Russell on pole and Hamilton eager to recover from a disappointing qualifying.
The stage is set for an intense showdown under the Las Vegas lights. Will Verstappen overcome his car’s limitations and claim victory, or will his rivals seize the advantage? Stay tuned.
