Max Verstappen: We didn't have enough pace

Pulse Sports Team 23:28 - 25 October 2026

Max Verstappen missed out on a third consecutive Formula 1 victory after finishing third in the United States Grand Prix.

Following the race at the Circuit of the Americas, the Red Bull driver admitted he simply lacked the pace to fight higher up the order. He also pointed to tyre strategy as another key factor behind his dip in form compared to the previous two rounds in Malaysia and Singapore.

"I think overall we didn't have enough pace, and the tyres we had probably weren't the best choice either. That's something we need to analyse, because everything worked very well for us in the last few races. "For one reason or another, things didn't come together here, but we still managed to get on the podium. Maybe we got a bit lucky with the Virtual Safety Car towards the end, but I'll take this result," Verstappen explained. "I had no choice. Either I was going to get overtaken, or I had to attack. So that's exactly what I did," he added, reflecting on his move on Lando Norris at the start of lap 47 with Charles Leclerc right behind him.