Verstappen 'Relieved' with P2 After Treacherous Vegas Qualifying
Max Verstappen expressed relief after securing P2 in a treacherous, rain-soaked Las Vegas qualifying, calling the session 'not fun' due to extreme slipperiness and poor visibility. Despite struggling on intermediate tires, the Red Bull driver acknowledged the front-row start was 'good for us,' setting him up to challenge Lando Norris for victory in what is expected to be a drier Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen secured a P2 start for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, expressing relief despite a 'not fun' qualifying session marked by extreme wet conditions. The Red Bull driver will begin Saturday night's race from the front row alongside polesitter Lando Norris, an outcome he deemed "good for us" given the challenging circumstances.
Why it matters:
Securing a front-row start in highly unpredictable conditions demonstrates Verstappen's adaptability and the Red Bull's underlying pace, even when the car isn't perfectly suited to the track. While Norris's pole suggests McLaren's strong form, Verstappen's P2 puts him in a prime position to challenge for victory, especially with a drier race expected to dramatically shift the competitive landscape. This performance could be crucial for maintaining momentum in a season already dominated by Red Bull.
The details:
- Qualifying began under heavy rain, making the already slippery Las Vegas street circuit even more treacherous, described by Verstappen as "more like driving on ice."
- Tire Performance: Verstappen felt more competitive on full wet tires but struggled to extract similar performance on intermediates as the track marginally improved.
- Grip Issues: He cited a significant lack of grip throughout the session, making it difficult to get tires up to temperature and maintain control.
- Visibility Challenges: Verstappen highlighted severe visibility issues due to spray from the ground effect cars, necessitating large gaps between drivers during push laps for safety.
- He emphasized the need for at least an "eight-second" gap to see what's happening ahead.
- Front-Row Start: Despite the difficulties and not fighting for pole, securing P2 was considered a positive outcome, setting him up well for the race.
What's next:
With a drier race expected, the competitive order could change significantly. Verstappen will aim to capitalize on his front-row start, leveraging Red Bull's race pace to challenge Norris for the win. His adaptability in varying conditions will be key to converting this challenging qualifying result into a strong race performance.