Max Verstappen set the best time in sprint qualifying. The leader of the World Drivers’ Championship was just a hair ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes. His main rival in the drivers’ standings, Lando Norris, failed to finish fourth in the session.
At the wheel of a Red Bull that received new parts, Max Verstappen had a lot to do during Free Practice 1 to find his feet in his car. The three-time reigning World Champion admitted that sprint weekends are never easy to understand.
“We’ve had a great day so far”declared Max Verstappen at the F1 microphone. “Of course this type of session is always difficult having the mediums in SQ1 and SQ2 then the soft ones in SQ3. I’m happy, the car worked perfectly, I’m very happy to be first, it’s been a long time.”
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Although he recognizes that it is difficult to get his bearings, especially after a three-week break, Max Verstappen admits to having enjoyed driving his Red Bull on the Austin track.
“It’s always difficult to find the right balance with only an hour of testing. But this track is really great, with the newly resurfaced parts, but also with the old parts with the bumps, it’s not easy, but it’s the same for everyone. You have to manage all that, it’s not easy, but it has the merit of being fun.”
First step taken for Max Verstappen who is already looking towards tomorrow’s sprint race, but also and above all to Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“We have to do our best tomorrow for the sprint, but above all do even better on Sunday, because that’s when we score the most points”, a conclu Max Verstappen.