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, a native of the Netherlands, expressed his dissatisfaction with the unpredictable nature of the tires during the qualifying session. Despite this, he managed to maintain his dominance in a single lap, claiming 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 adopt a more aggressive approach with their tire compounds, while noting that the characteristics of the Miami circuit have exacerbated the problem.
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 single-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 greater flexibility in pit stop windows.
Al sugerir la posibilidad de utilizar compuestos de neumáticos más suaves, Verstappen reconoció la necesidad de consultar a Pirelli. Énfasis que varios factores se combinaron para hacer que el circuito de Miami sea particularmente desafiante.
Verstappen también señaló que las bajas velocidades en las curvas de la pista amplifican el impacto de cualquier pequeño problema en los neumáticos, lo que resulta en una pérdida significativa de tiempo en las curvas de baja velocidad. Expresó preferencia por más curvas de alta velocidad en general, ya que tienden a ser más favorables.
A pesar de enfrentar problemas de equilibrio durante la clasificación, Verstappen expresó confianza en su coche de Red Bull para la próxima carrera. Afirmó: «Estoy contento con el equilibrio en la carrera. Creo que seremos competitivos. Solo necesitamos mejorar un poco en cuanto al rendimiento de hoy.»
Verstappen está optimista de que lograr un mejor equilibrio los pondrá en una posición más favorable y les permitirá demostrar su velocidad.
