Max Verstappen isn’t happy with how things turned out in the Miami Grand Prix qualification after Charles Leclerc crashed. The Dutchman revealed after the qualifying session that he is “upset” with himself after trying to push on the limit.
The Red Bull star went on a flying lap at the beginning of the Q3. However, he pushed it to the “limit” and lost control of his RB-19 twice, and eventually decided to abort the lap. With a thought of a final push in the end, the Dutchman returned to the pit.
Max Verstappen: That was a mistake of mine trying to put it on the limit and I had to abort the lap. Then you rely on a bit of luck that there won’t be a red flag, and it can happen on a street circuit. So, just a bit upset with myself.
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) May 6, 2023
However, the defending champion ran out of luck as Leclerc went off the road in Sector 1 with just two minutes to spare. As the Monegasque crashed, the stewards called for a Red flag, which later on resulted in the entire Q3 being called off prematurely, leaving the two-time world champion in P9.
Verstappen, being unhappy with himself, said as per Junaid Samodien on Twitter that it was a mistake on his part to push on the limit. Following the abortion of the lap, he relied on a “bit of luck” in a street circuit, and that made him upset.
Verstappen expects a tough race on Sunday
The Dutchman has already predicted a hard race on Sunday. Given how twisty and tricky the Miami circuit is, the defending champions reckon it will not be easy to navigate through the pack.
Talking about this, the Red Bull ace conveyed, “It’s going to be tough.” Verstappen, furthermore, added that he made it tough for himself by going too fast right at the beginning.
Verstappen runs wide on his opening flying lap
No time set ❌
Perez is on provisional pole, Alonso currently P2 😮#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/zf7D7121p0
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2023
The 25-year-old further asserted that he could have easily pulled off P2 in the Miami track had there been no crash and premature conclusion of the session.
History awaits Perez
As all hell broke loose in Miami, Sergio Perez remained the one true winner. Amid all the chaos, the Mexican took the pole position, leaving behind his teammate Verstappen in P9.
This will not only boost the chance for Perez’s third win in 2023 but also will make him the leader of the drivers’ standings. If the 33-year-old can take the finish line before anyone else, it’ll be the first time he’ll lead the championship in his decade-long career.
However, he’ll have immense pressure from Fernando Alonso, who starts alongside him. But on the other hand, one can never write off the defending champion Max Verstappen. It’ll be interesting to see how things turn out to be in the end.
