Verstappen Lacking One Lap Performance In Las Vegas: 'We Maximized Today'

Saturday, 18 November 2023 at 16:00

Updated at Saturday, 18 November 2023 at 17:36

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen reflected on Qualification after finishing in P3 behind two Scuderia Ferrari drivers.

The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix qualification ended with Charles Leclerc taking the pole position, closely followed by his teammate Carlos Sainz in second place.

Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen was only fast enough for the third place this time around. However, the Dutchman will start from the front row after Sainz drops ten positions back because of his penalty.

The three-time World Champion reacted to his qualifying result, saying the conditions were quite tricky with the cool, slippery track. He told the media after the race:

“"It's quite cold out there, it's quite slippery. Then, of course, being on the street circuit as well, you try to get as close as you can to the walls. That's not always very straightforward, but it was it was enjoyable out there."”

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On the other hand, Verstappen was satisfied with his result because Red Bull has not quite been able to match Ferrari's one-lap pace this weekend.

“"I do think that we maximized today. I think during the whole weekend, we've been lacking a little bit of one-lap performance."”

Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez did not get through to Q3 and finished only in P12, so both Red Bull drivers will hope for a better pace during the race. The Dutchman said:

“"That was also quite clear in qualifying, but yeah, I hope of course the more in the race. We are good on the tires again, and we can work our way forward."”

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit is dominated by long straights and corners where it should not be too hard for drivers to follow each other, so F1 fans might see many overtakes during the race later today. Verstappen concluded:

“"First one here, you never know if there might be any Safety Cars. It's a very long straight, a lot of racing will happen there, and then, of course, I hope we are we are good on the tires."”