Max Verstappen finished third at the United States Grand Prix but said Red Bull squandered a chance at second with a flawed soft-tire strategy, a slow pit stop and inconsistent power-unit performance. He also acknowledged the car lacked pace in both high- and low-speed corners, leaving the team with several issues to address.

By the Numbers
  • Verstappen finished third, behind Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc.
  • Red Bull made two stops; Verstappen’s first came on lap 14 and his second on lap 32.
Yes, But

Verstappen said a different tire choice might have earned second, but conceded that’s easier to judge after the race. Power-unit inconsistency and the slow pit stop also cost time, so strategy alone did not explain the result.

State of Play
  • Red Bull’s soft-tire gamble failed to match the grip Mercedes found on harder compounds.
  • Verstappen said the car was not quick enough in either high- or low-speed corners.
  • The team now has strategy, pit-stop execution and power-unit consistency to analyze.
Bottom Line

A podium masked a weekend in which Red Bull’s recent winning approach didn’t translate to Austin. Verstappen’s message is clear: the team must adapt its tire strategy and improve the car’s consistency to capitalize on its opportunities.