Verstappen blames Red Bull for nothing: 'They don't plan for me to make mistake'
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Max Verstappen proudly topped the timesheets in Miami in the second and third free practice sessions, but the outcome of qualifying was one that was hardly predictable. Verstappen will start ninth in the race in the United States and will therefore need to make up a lot of places to move towards victory. The two-time world champion is disappointed and angry with himself.
"I was trying to put it on the limit and then I made a mistake and had to abort the lap," Verstappen said in front of Sky Sports' cameras. In the back of his mind, the scenario of someone else crashing had already played out briefly, we seem to gather from the Dutchman's words. "Then you rely on a bit of luck that there is not going to be a red flag, but that can happen on a street circuit. I'm just a bit upset with myself. It's going to be difficult. I made it difficult for myself, so I have to accept that."
Verstappen having a moment in Q3
The World Championship leader is therefore mainly putting his hand in his own heart and not pointing the finger at Charles Leclerc or his team. Helmut Marko did, for example, by stating that Red Bull should have sent its driverout earlier. After all, the RB19 was good enough for pole anyway; a minute earlier or late on track would not have made any difference, according to the Austrian consultant.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Verstappen revealed that he did not blame his racing stable for anything. "With hindsight, you might say that I could have gone out earlier for that last lap, but the team does not plan for me to make a mistake. And on a street circuit everyone is on the limit and things like this can happen, just like Charles' crash. We have been very fast all weekend. In fact, my fastest time in Q2 would have been enough for pole position. That does say a lot."
Verstappen wants to forget Saturday quickly
Verstappen further indicated to The Race that he is very angry with himself right now, but that this anger will soon turn into positive energy towards the race. "I'm still annoyed with myself, but I also know that tomorrow is a new day, a lot of things can happen. It's not ideal, but there’s also no point now to be like super angry or upset about it. But you learn from it. You will do better again next time."
Finally, the 25-year-old Dutchman let it be noted that he knows very well that the championship will not be won tomorrow. "You have sometimes a few setbacks, but that doesn't mean that that carries on for the rest of the year or whatever. I mean, it can't all be perfect," said a down-to-earth Verstappen.