Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull Racing, secured pole position at the Miami Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship, held in Miami, Florida, USA. Verstappen, hailing from the Netherlands, expressed his dissatisfaction with the unpredictable nature of the tires during the qualifying session. Nevertheless, he managed to maintain his dominance in a single lap, clinching his sixth consecutive pole position. Verstappen’s time of 1:27.241s remained unbeatable, as both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failed to surpass him. Verstappen highlighted the frustration of driving in such uncertain conditions, where tire grip and performance were uncertain, making it challenging to seek improvements. He acknowledged that his first sector was better, but the middle sector proved problematic, resulting in a loss of momentum. Despite trying to compensate by braking later, Verstappen did not achieve the desired result.
Verstappen urged Pirelli to take a more aggressive approach with their tire compounds, while noting that the characteristics of the Miami circuit have exacerbated the issue.
In his assessment, Verstappen stated: “I believe it’s a combination of factors – the track, the tires, the car, and the weather. The level of grip is extremely low.”
He further expressed his opinion, saying: “The tires overheat quickly for some reason, even though they are conservative. Personally, I would prefer races with two or three pit stops. This adds more excitement compared to a one-stop strategy.”
Verstappen believes that multiple pit stops would provide a greater challenge for both teams and drivers. He used the example of races in China, where a two-stop strategy is possible, to highlight the benefits of increased flexibility in pit stop windows.
By suggesting the possibility of using softer tire compounds, Verstappen acknowledged the need to consult with Pirelli. He emphasized that several factors combined to make the Miami circuit particularly challenging.
Verstappen also pointed out that the low speeds in the track’s corners amplify the impact of any small tire issues, resulting in significant time loss in slow corners. He expressed a preference for more high-speed corners in general, as they tend to be more favorable.
Despite facing balance issues during qualifying, Verstappen expressed confidence in his Red Bull car for the upcoming race. He stated: “I am satisfied with the balance in the race. I believe we will be competitive. We just need to improve a little compared to today’s performance.”
Verstappen is optimistic that achieving a better balance will put them in a more favorable position and allow them to demonstrate their speed.
