Max Verstappen was under no illusions that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Sprint Race will be an easy affair, after snatching pole position late in the session.
The Dutchman, the last driver out on track, took pole ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to place himself in a good position for the 19-Lap race on Saturday.
It was another example of the improvements shown by the team and its RB21 package, enabling Verstappen to make full use of it to keep himself in McLaren’s eyeline amid their intra-team title battle.
Verstappen will be looking to repeat his performance at the previous Sprint Race in Belgium, but was in no doubt the McLarens will pose a significant threat.
“Yeah, it’s been a nice qualifying,” he said in parc ferme after the session. “I think throughout all the segments we were quite close, just about trying to put it all together when it matters, of course, at the end, which is not easy because you go to the Soft compound with no reference really.
“But yeah, it worked out well. I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow in the Sprint, but that’s, I think, exactly what we want to see, right?
“So yeah, excited for tomorrow and happy with today.”
Verstappen sees good start the key to taking victory in US GP Sprint
Verstappen indicated his wariness of the bumpy Circuit of the Americas layout, as well as the strong winds affecting some parts of the circuit.
“Yeah, as you can feel, like the wind is coming up and down, very gusty. The track is very bumpy as well, so the cars can easily step out on you as well in the high speed.
“So yeah, in a qualifying like that, you have to leave a few margins here and there. But still, nevertheless, I think for us, this has been, again, a very good day.”
When asked what he feels he can do to maximise his chances, Verstappen was hopeful of a good start and the pace to keep the McLarens at bay.
“Just trying to have a good start. It’s a wide turn one as well. And then I hope that we have good pace in the race. But we’ll find out tomorrow.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen snatches F1 US GP Sprint pole to deny all-McLaren front row
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