Buckle up, racing fans, because the Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying was a wild ride! Max Verstappen, despite the treacherous conditions, managed to secure a P2 start, a feat he considered ‘good for us.’ But what exactly made this qualifying session so challenging? Let’s dive in.
The weekend’s practice sessions saw a mix of weather, but Qualifying threw a curveball with a wet track, severely impacting grip and visibility. Drivers initially grappled with full wet tires before switching to intermediates in the final segment. Verstappen, however, couldn’t quite snatch the top spot from Lando Norris, finishing a mere three-tenths of a second behind.
Reflecting on the session, Verstappen didn’t mince words about the difficulty. ‘It was really, really slippery out there,’ he stated, emphasizing how the conditions felt more like driving on ice. He added that while he enjoys driving in the wet, this was a different beast altogether.
He explained that getting the tires to work took a while. Although they seemed more competitive on the extreme wet tires, the track’s improvement necessitated a switch to intermediates. Verstappen admitted struggling to find any grip and, despite pushing on the final lap, couldn’t quite reach the top spot.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Verstappen’s comments highlight a key challenge in modern F1: the impact of ground effect aerodynamics. These cars pick up a lot of water from the floor, leading to significant spray and reduced visibility, especially in wet conditions. He mentioned the need for at least an eight-second gap to see what’s happening ahead, a testament to the poor visibility.
‘The lap felt alright, it’s just super difficult out there to get all the braking zones right and be on the limit of the tyres as well, but we did it,’ Verstappen concluded.
And this is the part most people miss… The Red Bull driver’s comments offer a glimpse into the complexities of racing in extreme conditions. The drivers have to balance the need to push the limits with the constant threat of losing control.
What do you think about Verstappen’s performance and the challenges of racing in the wet? Do you agree that the ground effect cars make visibility too difficult? Share your thoughts in the comments below!