P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It might look like only a track limits breach denied Max Verstappen pole for the United States Grand Prix. But actually Red Bull isn’t in great shape at Austin, and Ferrari’s pole is legitimate
The RB19 2023 Formula 1 car of Red Bull struggled with the condensed set-up time and the bumpy track during qualifying in Austin. Max Verstappen’s final Q3 lap was deleted due to exceeding track limits, but if it had counted, he would have been on pole position. However, his official grid slot was sixth. Verstappen had to battle Ferraris, Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, and Lando Norris’ McLaren throughout qualifying. The Red Bull had a significant advantage at Turn 11 hairpin, which contributed to its deleted pole position lap. The bumpy track and raised ride height affected the Red Bull’s performance, as it relies heavily on underfloor downforce. The Ferrari, on the other hand, excelled on the bumps and felt confident to push hard. Charles Leclerc, in particular, found the sprint format and the track conditions favorable for his car.
Source: The Race
