AUSTIN, Texas — Max Verstappen stated qualifying sixth for the U.S. Grand Prix ought to make his race on Sunday “a bit extra enjoyable” as he appears to be like to assert his fifteenth win of the season.
Verstappen set the quickest time in Friday’s qualifying forward of Charles Leclerc, however his lap time was deleted for exceeding monitor limits at Flip 19.
The Pink Bull driver, who sealed his third championship on the final grand prix in Qatar, dismissed the disappointing outcome.
“In fact it’s kind of unlucky but it surely makes the Sunday additionally a bit extra enjoyable,” he instructed reporters in Austin.
“I knew in Flip 19 that it was going to be an in depth name. I had just a little mistake in Flip 1 so I needed to actually push for it in the remainder of the lap.
“It is effective margins, truthfully, I did not even understeer, I simply tried to actually maximize the nook and I misjudged it by just a little bit. It’s totally effective margins if you find yourself pushing to the restrict.”
Requested what his expectations are ranging from sixth behind two Mercedes automobiles, two Ferraris and a McLaren, Verstappen added: “In fact we need to win so for positive as we speak was not preferrred.
“But it surely’s nonetheless an extended race and there is a variety of issues we will do higher and have a little bit of enjoyable on the market as nicely.”
Leclerc, who begins from pole place for the third time