Max Verstappen returned to the pole position for the first time since the Austrian Grand Prix, holding Mercedes’s George Russell to take the pole in the Sprint qualifying. The Dutchman proved comfortable throughout Friday’s running at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing a close third to the Ferraris in the only practice session as the teams attempted to get to grips with their upgrades.
Ahead of Sunday’s race, let us take a look at 3 reasons why Verstappen will win the US Grand Prix.
Upgrades brought by Red Bull to US Grand Prix
Red Bull has introduced upgrades to the RB20 for this weekend, featuring modifications to the floor edge and a redesigned upper surface of the side pods. These changes are aimed at addressing some balance issues that have affected the car’s performance in the middle part of the season, reflecting the team’s ongoing efforts to enhance competitiveness.
The adjustments made for this weekend seem to have paid off, as the Dutchman appeared significantly more comfortable in the car, ultimately clinching the fastest time in Sprint Qualifying by edging out George Russell by just 0.012 seconds.
McLaren’s struggles on Friday
In sprint qualifying, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were unable to match the pace of the frontrunners, with Norris starting in a disappointing fourth place. Their struggle to find the optimal setup for the Circuit of the Americas contributed to a lack of competitiveness against Red Bull and Ferrari.
On the other hand, Piastri suffered a shock SQ1 exit which will see him start Saturday’s sprint all the way back in 16th position on the grid. The Aussie admitted that the Papayas lacked pace as compared to their competitors “It [McLaren car] feels okay. Maybe not quite as strong as what it has been in the last few races. I think the others seem a little bit stronger maybe,”
This dip in form contrasts with McLaren’s recent success in finding a consistent pace, indicating that the conditions and setup challenges at the Circuit of the Americas have proven tricky for the team to navigate. The team will need to work hard to adjust their strategy and extract more speed if they hope to compete with the top runners in both the sprint and main race.
Verstappen’s strategic edge at COTA
The Circuit of the Americas has been a strong venue for Verstappen, with his past successes providing a wealth of data to refine his strategy and setup. This familiarity will allow him to optimize car performance and adapt to track conditions effectively. His confidence on this track often translates into a bold driving style, which aids in both overtaking maneuvers and defensive driving against competitors.
Furthermore, taking the pole in sprint qualifying will further aid his confidence, and would see this as an opportunity to stretch his lead at the top of the Driver’s Championship which currently stands at 52 points.
Read More: Max Verstappen Takes Pole by Less Than Fraction of a Second for the Sprint at the US Grand Prix
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
