Max Verstappen opens the United States Grand Prix weekend with second and third in Friday practice at Circuit of the Americas, trailing Charles Leclerc by under two-tenths.

Red Bull’s RB22 shows competitive baseline pace, though not at its Malaysia level. The team reads encouraging long-run signs while acknowledging Ferrari’s sharper one-lap execution.

The challenge is COTA’s mix of rapid sweeps and fiddly low-speed complexes, plus severe bumps unsettling braking and traction. Verstappen calls it a delicate balancing challenge across corner types.

He criticises the surface as unacceptable, especially under heavy braking into Turn 1. The roughness compromises rhythm, makes the car skip, and punishes confidence on corner entry.

Technical director Pierre Waché outlines two priorities before qualifying: improve low-speed performance and manage bump-induced instability. Addressing both should broaden the setup window and reduce sensitivity.

Data shows Verstappen ceding time through Turns 12–16, where rotation and traction matter most. Conversely, the RB22 stays efficient in quicker sections and competitive at end of the back straight.

Over bumps, the RB22 can porpoise on turn-in, notably at Turn 1. The stiffness-versus-compliance compromise remains tricky, making any setup gamble risky across a variable surface.

Suspension tweaks help marginally. Ground-effect cars run low to energise floors, then use straight-line aero modes to protect hardware. That stance magnifies bumps, hurting braking stability and cornering consistency.

Red Bull targets a calmer platform and broader balance window, aiming to reduce sensitivity before qualifying. Those efforts at Austin continue through final practice, as detailed in ongoing work trackside.

With gaps small, execution becomes decisive. Any overnight gains from Red Bull’s recent secret update could shift qualifying. Verstappen’s baseline looks solid; converting it depends on taming COTA’s worst imperfections.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.