Max Verstappen third in qualifying US Grand Prix: 'A fine margin'

Published on 23 October 2022 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen finished third fastest after qualifying for the Grand Prix of the United States. The Dutchman drove in Q3 a 1:34.448 as his fastest time but fell short by a mere tenth for pole position, which was claimed by Carlos Sainz. Despite that, Verstappen will start the race in Austin tomorrow from second because of a grid penalty for Ferrari-driver Charles Leclerc.  Sergio Pclerc. Sergio Pérez came in fourth, but will also be dropped, which will result in a second row formed by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

“It’s a hard news for everyone”, says Max, responding to the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. “He has meant a lot for Red Bull, but also for the sport and especially for my career in general. It is a very tough day. We tried to give it everything today in qualifying but unfortunately we missed out by a little bit. But there is still a race ahead of course and we are going to try and make Dietrich proud tomorrow.”

Looking ahead at the race tomorrow, the two-time world champion says: “I think our car is normally a little stronger in the race than in qualifying. Today there was a very fine margin, if we could have switched the tyres a bit better on that would have made a difference. But nonetheless we are there and I am expecting a good race tomorrow.”

On a warm Circuit of the Americas qualifying gets underway. Max Verstappen heads out on track after just a little over four minutes and does a 1:35.864 in his one and only lap in Q1. The Ferraris eventually top the board during this session. Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Esteban Ocon, Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi are the first ones to drop out.

Once more, and not completely out of the norm this season, Verstappen only does one single timed lap during the second part of qualifying. With a 1:35.294 he manages to make it through to Q3 in second place, not even half a tenth behind of Charles Leclerc. Alexander Albon, Sebastian Vettel, Pierre Gasly, Zhou Guanyu and Yuki Tsunoda form the second group that is sent to the showers.

Max opens the final, twelve minutes lasting, qualifying part with a 1:35.044. This puts him fourth after the first run. Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton are at that moment the provisional top three. Verstappen then does two warm up laps on a fresh set of tyres before starting his second timed lap. The two-time world champion betters his time but has to eventually settle for a third place behind both Ferraris. Due to Charles Leclerc’s grid penalty, Verstappen will be starting behind pole sitter Carlos Sainz on the grid tomorrow. Sergio Pérez, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell round out the top six.

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Results qualifying United States: