Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull Racing, secured the pole position in the Formula 1 World Championship’s Miami Grand Prix, held in Miami, Florida, USA. Verstappen, hailing from the Netherlands, expressed his dissatisfaction with the unpredictable nature of the tires during the qualifying session. Despite this, he managed to maintain his dominance over a single lap, achieving his sixth consecutive pole position. Verstappen’s time of 1:27.241s remained unbeaten, as both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failed to surpass it. Verstappen highlighted the frustration of driving in such conditions, where the grip and performance of the tires were uncertain, making it challenging to push for improvements. He acknowledged that his first sector was better, but the middle sector proved to be problematic, resulting in a loss of momentum. Despite attempting to compensate by braking later, Verstappen missed out on the desired outcome.
Verstappen has urged Pirelli to adopt a more aggressive approach with their tire compounds, while also 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 grip level 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. It adds more excitement compared to a straightforward 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 windows.
While suggesting the possibility of using softer tire compounds, Verstappen acknowledged the need to consult with Pirelli. He emphasized that several factors have converged to make the Miami circuit particularly challenging.
Verstappen also pointed out that the low cornering speeds on the track magnify the impact of any slight tire issues, resulting in significant time loss in low-speed corners. He expressed a preference for more fast corners in general, as they tend to be more favorable.
Despite facing balance problems during qualifying, Verstappen expressed confidence in his Red Bull car for the upcoming race. He stated, “I’m satisfied with the balance in the race. I believe we will be competitive. We just need to improve slightly from today’s performance.”
Verstappen is optimistic that achieving a better balance will put them in a more favorable position and enable them to demonstrate their speed.