Verstappen says traffic cost him in Mexico qualifying
Max Verstappen said he had the pace to challenge for pole position in Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying but will start fifth. He pointed to traffic in the final sector, including an encounter with Lando Norris at Turn 13, as the key factor in his final run.
Verstappen said Red Bull was in the fight for pole in Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying, but he ultimately ended the session in fifth place for Sunday's race. He described his final lap as being competitive enough to contend at the front before it unraveled late on.
According to Verstappen, the decisive issue came in the final sector on his last run. He said traffic at Turn 13, where he encountered Lando Norris, effectively ended the lap.
Before that moment, Verstappen had been nearly a tenth quicker than eventual polesitter Lewis Hamilton by the end of the second sector. His lap included the fastest first sector and a second sector that matched Hamilton's pace.
In this story
Sources (2)
Summaries are synthesized by F1 Hub from the linked sources. Follow the links above to read the full reporting at each outlet.