Max Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his second-place finish in Qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, describing the result as “good for us.” The Red Bull driver managed to navigate through challenging conditions that characterized the session.
Challenge of Wet Conditions
Qualifying commenced in wet weather, creating difficulties for drivers as they sought grip and clear visibility. Throughout the practice sessions leading up to the qualifying event, weather conditions varied significantly. While it was a struggle for all competitors, the drivers eventually shifted from full wet tires to intermediates by the final segment.
Despite his best efforts, Verstappen could not overtake Lando Norris, who secured pole position. Verstappen finished approximately three-tenths of a second behind Norris.
Verstappen’s Assessment
After stepping out of the car, Verstappen noted the extreme slipperiness of the conditions. “It was really, really slippery out there,” he remarked. He likened driving on the wet track to “driving on ice,” emphasizing the difficulty in getting the tires to perform optimally.
He acknowledged that they had shown more competitiveness with the extreme tires but had to transition to intermediates as track conditions improved. Despite the grip challenges, Verstappen managed to secure a front-row start.
Visibility Concerns
Visibility during the session presented additional obstacles. Verstappen admitted that maintaining a safe gap was crucial due to the diminished sightlines. “The visibility was also very tough,” he said, highlighting how ground effect designs in modern cars contributed to the spray in rainy conditions.
- Drivers needed a minimum gap of eight seconds to see clearly ahead.
- Verstappen emphasized the importance of these safety measures in inclement weather.
With his second-place starting position, Verstappen remains optimistic about the race ahead. He expressed his hope for better grip conditions and demonstrated eagerness for the challenge that awaits on race day. “Excited for tomorrow,” Verstappen concluded, “I hope the inside is okay in terms of grip.”
