Despite neither Max Verstappen nor Yuki Tsunoda being entirely satisfied with their performances, Red Bull still locked out second and third positions on the grid at Austin.
The result is a significant indicator of how far the team has come since the Baku upgrade package transformed their season trajectory in recent weeks.
Verstappen looked set for pole position throughout much of qualifying, particularly impressing rivals during Q2 on a set of scrubbed tyres while others around him used fresh rubber.
That performance made a third consecutive pole position appear well within reach, but the picture changed considerably once Q3 began and grip levels dropped unexpectedly on his first run.
When asked to explain the gap between his Q2 and Q3 performances, Verstappen said: “I just didn’t have the same grip anymore. It’s as simple as that.”
He elaborated further, adding: “I simply couldn’t carry the speed that I wanted through the slow corners anymore. That’s something we obviously need to understand, because there was for sure more in it. I just couldn’t get it out of the car in Q3.”
Wind played a significant role in the final runs of Q3, with Lando Norris describing the gusts as the worst he had ever experienced behind the wheel, causing him to lock up despite braking earlier as a precaution.
Verstappen acknowledged the wind was a factor on his final run but admitted it did not explain everything, saying: “On the final run, the wind was really bad, but not on the first run. So I don’t really understand why it was so disappointing. But anyway, if that’s still good enough for second place, then that’s okay.”
Ferrari also struggled in Q3, with Charles Leclerc pointing to increased cloud cover and falling track temperatures pushing the Pirelli tyres outside their ideal operating window alongside George Russell.
The contrast with the first half of the season is stark, with Red Bull frequently sliding to seventh or eighth on difficult qualifying days earlier in the year when the car was less competitive.
Verstappen himself acknowledged that Austin qualifying was representative of the team’s broader resurgence, stating: “Yes, absolutely. The car has been a lot better over the last few weekends, that’s clear.”
He added context around which circuits have suited the car best, saying: “Some circuits will simply suit us a little better than others. I think this one is still okay, but I think Singapore and Malaysia were clearly better for our car.”
Friday’s race pace data gave Verstappen further confidence heading into Sunday’s grand prix, with the Dutchman feeling the setup was pointing in the right direction for race conditions.
“Normally, yes. It’s a bit difficult to judge who’s really the fastest in race pace, but over the last few weekends it’s been pretty good for us. I hope the set-up we have on the car is the right direction for the race,” Verstappen said.
Starting second on the inside of the grid presents strategic opportunities, though Verstappen remained measured about the importance of the opening corner in such a long race.
“If an overtake happens in the first corner, then it happens. And if it doesn’t, then it’s still such a long race in which so many things can go right or wrong. If you have a good balance and enough speed in the car, you can race here through strategy or even by overtaking someone on track,” he concluded.