Verstappen Reflects on Mexico Qualifying Struggles

Max Verstappen's qualifying session in Mexico City was far from ideal, with his Red Bull car lacking crucial grip. The reigning world champion all but wrote off his chances for victory, signaling a significant setback in his championship pursuit.

Why it matters:

After a dominant season, Verstappen's struggles in qualifying, particularly his resignation about race pace, highlight the increasing competitiveness of Formula 1. This unexpected dip for Red Bull could open the door for rivals like McLaren and Ferrari, making the championship battle even more intense and unpredictable.

The Details:

• Verstappen finished fifth in qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix, 0.484 seconds behind pole-sitter Lando Norris of McLaren.
• His initial radio message during qualifying revealed severe issues: "No grip. The car doesn't steer, we have no traction, I'm just sliding."
• Misleading Practice Pace: Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko admitted that Friday's second practice session, where Verstappen topped the timesheets, led them in the wrong direction with their car setup. "We were fooled by the second practice," Marko stated, explaining that the setup issues were uncorrectable by Saturday.
• Long-Run Concerns: Verstappen expressed pessimism about his race pace, stating, "I have no pace. Even if I overtake two cars at the start, they will catch me again later." He added, "Our long runs were weak, the cars in front of us are simply faster. We tried so many things, but we just didn't find a solution."
• Tyre Degradation: Hints of Red Bull's struggles with tyre management on the dusty, high-altitude track emerged during Friday's long runs, especially compared to McLaren and Ferrari.
• Key Corner Losses: Verstappen consistently lost time in Turn 9, over a bump in the middle sector, and through the Esses.

The Big Picture:

Helmut Marko conceded that Lando Norris, who secured pole with a dominant lap, might be "unreachable" in the race. He suggested that a podium finish would be the maximum for Red Bull, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead of Oscar Piastri in the championship fight. Despite Piastri starting eighth, Verstappen found little comfort, asserting, "We simply have no pace. You don't win championships like that."

What's next:

While former F1 driver and Sky expert Timo Glock acknowledged the uncertainty, he remains hopeful for a "Max factor" turnaround. "You always think Max will make it happen tomorrow – but it didn't look like that this time," Glock analyzed, highlighting the tight competition in F1. Despite the pessimistic outlook, the race presents an opportunity for Verstappen to demonstrate his exceptional driving skills and salvage crucial points in what promises to be a challenging Grand Prix.