Verstappen explains missed final lap in Qualifying after taking pole for the US GP

Max Verstappen has explained how he missed out on a final effort in Qualifying at the United States Grand Prix, after his first effort proved enough to secure pole.

The four-time World Champion will line up at the head of the field for Sunday’s Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas as he looks to further cut the 55-point margin in the Drivers’ Standings to leader Oscar Piastri, with the Red Bull man's victory in the Sprint earlier on Saturday helping to reduce the gap as Piastri and team mate Lando Norris crashed out at the first turn.

However, Qualifying took a late twist for Verstappen as he was unable to start his final flying lap before the chequered flag fell, leaving him vulnerable to the chasing pack.

Despite the best efforts of his rivals, the four-time World Champion's 1m 32.510s effort proved insurmountable, leaving the Red Bull pit wall to breathe a sigh of relief – this after Yuki Tsunoda had lost out in a similar scenario in Sprint Qualifying on Friday.

“I was actually okay,” said Verstappen when asked if he had felt worried in the closing stages.

“I was just a bit disappointed at what was going on ahead. Just a lot of people were leaving 10-12 second gaps, which you can’t really anticipate gaps that big. So we missed out by a couple of seconds, which is not ideal, but luckily, it didn’t matter.”

Verstappen had complained of a loose rear end in Sprint Qualifying, with the rear seeming similarly skittish at stages in the Sprint on his way to victory. With a change in the wind for Qualifying, this was again something he was forced to manage.

“The wind picked up today compared to yesterday, and it managed to turn a little bit, so a full-on tailwind into all of the esses, so you just lose downforce,” Verstappen explained.

“The car is moving around a lot more, even compared to yesterday, so that made it a bit harder.

“Of course, in some corners, you gain a bit of lap time back, but you can’t commit as much as you normally can into sector one.”

Verstappen will look to take Grand Prix victory in Austin on Sunday as he continues to mount a fightback for the Drivers' title, with rivals Norris and Piastri starting second and sixth respectively on the grid.