Several drivers faced challenges during the Sprint qualifying session as they struggled to find the ideal performance from their tires. Current world champion, Max Verstappen, had a mixed experience during Friday’s practice at the Miami Street Circuit. Despite feeling unstable in the RB20 during Sprint qualifying, Verstappen managed to secure pole position with a decent lap.
Verstappen was surprised when he learned he had clinched pole position. He expressed his surprise over the team radio, emphasizing that he did not expect to claim P1 with his “terrible” final lap in Q3. Almost all drivers struggled to extract a solid lap from the soft tires during Q3. Verstappen’s conversation with his race engineer reflected his surprise at the situation.
Watching the reaction of the three-time world champion, it is evident that he was surprised that none of the other drivers could surpass his final lap in Q3. His teammate’s final lap only earned him third place. Verstappen shared his surprise at securing pole position over the team radio and then turned to his social media platforms to discuss his challenging participation during the Sprint qualifying session.
Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s closest rival during the Sprint, narrowly missed out on pole position. The Miami Street Circuit has proven to be a tricky track for the 20 F1 drivers. Its technical nature and the accumulation of dust throughout the day made the track slippery and challenging.
The long-awaited Miami Sprint race is just a few hours away. Considering the challenges that the drivers have faced on the 5.412 km circuit, it would be advantageous for Max Verstappen to start strong and build a significant lead, allowing the other drivers to battle for the remaining positions on the podium. The next Sprint event has the potential for surprises.
