F1, Max Verstappen throws down the gauntlet to Charles Leclerc
Max Verstappen è outspoken after sixth place in qualifying
After finishing sixth in qualifying for the Austin GP due to track limits, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen è expressed himself bluntly to the team’s official channels about his feelings ahead of the race, which could give the three-time World Champion his 50th career success.
"I knew that in turn 19 it would be really on the limit. I had made a small mistake in Turn 1, so I was forced to push harder than I should have in the rest of the lap. I didn't even understeer, I just tried to make the most of the corner and I misjudged a little bit, but it can happen when you push to the limit. I was unlucky, but that will make Sunday more fun. Itè s not ideal to start sixth, but I also started further back and with a good pace here è itè s possible to make up and overtake. Of course we want to win and the race will be long and we can do things better and have fun. First forò we will have to think about the Sprint, asé Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes have proven to be very competitive on this track" said the Dutch driver.
Despite Verstappen's mistake, teammate Sergio Perez è did not manage to go beyond ninth place: "It was not an easy session, I struggled to find the balance between low and high speeds. We made some changes that didn’t help us as much as we thought. The margins were so small that even a tenth would have changed the face of our qualifying, but we fell on the wrong side. Hopefully in the Sprint Shootout it will go better and we can bring home some points, as we expect different conditions and an increase in wind" these are the words of the Mexican after qualifying.
