Verstappen puzzled after missing Austin pole as Antonelli takes top spot
Max Verstappen said Red Bull need to understand why his car felt better on used tyres in qualifying after he missed out on pole in Austin. Reports said Kimi Antonelli swung the fight in his favour through a key sequence of corners, while Red Bull’s pace in Q3 also drew scrutiny.
Max Verstappen missed out on pole for Formula 1's United States Grand Prix in Austin and said he was left puzzled by the result. He said Red Bull need to investigate why the car appeared to feel better on used tyres during qualifying, describing the loss of pace in Q3 as something very odd.
According to reports, the pole battle turned on a crucial sequence of corners in which Kimi Antonelli gained the advantage. One account said either Red Bull driver could have been on pole but was thwarted by Antonelli, with Verstappen also nearly being beaten by Isack Hadjar.
Across the coverage, the common picture was of Red Bull falling short in the final phase of qualifying and Verstappen being uncertain about why. The outcome left Antonelli on pole in Austin while Red Bull were left to examine their late-session pace.