Verstappen Blames Norris Traffic for Mexico Qualifying Setback

Max Verstappen voiced frustration after Mexico City qualifying, believing Lando Norris’s positioning on his final Q3 lap compromised a genuine shot at pole. The Red Bull driver locked up into Turn 13 after encountering traffic in the stadium section, but still took encouragement from the RB22’s improved balance after a difficult weekend.

Why it matters:

Verstappen was already carrying a one-place grid penalty from a practice clash with Liam Lawson, so any lost qualifying opportunity hurt Red Bull’s weekend. His comments also underline how tiny margins can decide pole in F1’s tight qualifying battles, and his improved feeling with the car hints at progress after setup struggles.

The details:

• Verstappen said he was losing downforce in Turn 12 because a car was only 1.5 to 2 seconds ahead, then Norris ‘parked’ on the right—exactly where drivers want to open up for the hairpin.
• He argued the positioning cost him both the proper line and his reference point, turning a potential pole lap into second place.
• RB22 progress: Verstappen admitted the car was “very difficult to drive” in practice but felt much better after setup changes in qualifying.
• Remaining weakness: The RB22 still struggles over the kerbs in Mexico City, though Verstappen felt Red Bull was “right in the mix” after Q1.
• He described his final lap as coming together well aside from the traffic, calling it “a bit of bad luck.”

What’s next:

Red Bull must now confirm whether the qualifying gains translate into race pace, especially with Verstappen’s penalty adding to the challenge. If the balance improvement is real, it could provide a stronger platform for the rest of the season—but missed chances in tight qualifying sessions can be costly in a championship fight.