Max Verstappen Points to Unusual Factor That Nearly Cost Him United States GP Pole
Max Verstappen has revealed that the unpredictable wind conditions at the Circuit of the Americas played a key role in shaping the outcome of qualifying for the 2025 United States Grand Prix. Despite securing his seventh pole position of the season, the reigning world champion admitted that the gusty weather in Austin made driving extremely challenging and could have cost him the top spot on the grid.
The Dutchman delivered a typically dominant display on Saturday, claiming pole ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished just 0.291 seconds adrift after improving on his second run in Q3. Norris’s teammate and championship leader, Oscar Piastri, could only manage sixth, handing Verstappen a crucial advantage in his late-season charge to close the 55-point gap in the standings. With 166 points still available across the remaining rounds, Verstappen’s title hopes remain very much alive.
This latest pole marks Verstappen’s third in the last five races since the summer break, further underlining his momentum as the season enters its final stretch. However, speaking after qualifying, the Red Bull driver admitted that the conditions in Austin were far from ideal, with strong and shifting winds disrupting the car’s balance and grip through several key sections of the lap.
“It was a good session overall,” Verstappen said. “Every segment of qualifying felt strong, and the car had good pace. But putting a full lap together here is never easy, especially with the conditions we had today. It’s very hot, and the wind is constantly changing direction. In the final sector, you’ve got a strong tailwind, and that makes things really tricky.”
Verstappen explained that while his first run in Q3 was solid enough to secure pole, the second attempt was compromised by messy outlaps and the increasingly unpredictable gusts. “The first run in Q3 was really good. I improved from Q2 and felt confident, but then I couldn’t complete my final run the way I wanted. The outlaps were a bit messy, and honestly, we didn’t need to push for another one,” he added.
However, the three-time world champion was quick to emphasize how much the wind had intensified compared to the previous day’s running. “It was tricky with the wind; it picked up a lot compared to Friday,” he said. “It turned into a full-on tailwind through the Esses, and when that happens, you lose a lot of downforce. The car starts moving around much more, and you can’t commit to the fast corners like you normally can in Sector 1.”
While the wind made the car unstable in some corners, Verstappen noted that it also offered slight benefits in others. “Of course, in some parts of the track, you gain a bit of lap time because the wind direction helps you, but overall, it just makes it harder to be consistent. You have to adapt corner by corner, and that’s what makes qualifying here so demanding.”
The Dutchman’s ability to handle such unpredictable conditions once again showcased his trademark composure and technical skill. With McLaren’s drivers faltering in recent races — both Norris and Piastri suffered DNFs in the Sprint — Verstappen’s pole position gives him a prime opportunity to continue his resurgence in the championship battle.
As the race in Austin approaches, all eyes will be on how Verstappen manages the conditions over a full Grand Prix distance. The Red Bull driver has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure, and with the title race tightening, Sunday’s race could prove pivotal in deciding the fate of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
If Verstappen can convert pole into victory, he will not only close the gap to Piastri but also send a powerful message that the fight for the championship is far from over. The Dutchman’s mastery of both car and conditions may yet prove the decisive factor in one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.
