Early retirement Max during qualifying in Austin: 'Suspension failed'

Published on 21 October 2018 by Raymond Snip

Max Verstappen had to retire early during qualifying for the United States Grand Prix. The Dutchman seemed to continue to the second part of qualifying without any problems, but during his last flying lap he went wide at the exit of turn sixteen. The raised kerbstones on the outside broke the suspension of the RB14, which meant the end of Max' qualifying. Verstappen managed to return to the garage, but the damage was too extensive to repair on time. Lewis Hamilton proved once again very strong and took his 81st pole position. Sebastian Vettel (P2) and Kimi Raikkonen (P3), however, kept the gap very small by less than a tenth. Vettel will be put back three places by a grid penalty received in the first free practice, which will move Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo forward.

"I touched the outside kerbs and it failed the suspension, which also took the driveshaft out" Max said after qualifying. "It is a bit weird, since everyone uses those kerbs. It opens the corner a little bit more and it’s a bit faster. They have been there for two years, so we have to look into what happened. You try to repair the damage, of course, but when it happened I already knew it was over."

Max's review of free practice three: "The long runs were actually pretty good. We also have less of a power shortage, so I had a good feeling."

Tomorrow Max will have to work his way up again. What is possible? "Normally our pace during the race is a little more competitive. I also hope that we can clear the midfield early on. Last year we drove from sixteenth to third place, so we are going to try to do the same again this year."

It is windy when Q1 for the United States Grand Prix starts. Brendon Hartley is the first one to set a time, 1:36.943. Not much after that, Max Verstappen also appears on the track. The Dutchman in his first lap sets a 1:34.766, which is good for P3. However, at that moment, both Mercedes’ still have to set a time.

Halfway through the session Lewis Hamilton (1:34.176) and Valtteri Bottas (1:34.518) lead the chart. Ferrari and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing follow and complete the top six.

With less than six minutes to go, Max’ RB14 shows no pace. The Dutchman drove over one of the outside "sausage" kerbs at the exit of turn sixteen, which forced the right-side suspension to fail. Verstappen manages to return to the garage, but it is unclear whether his team can repair the damage on time.

When the checkered flag drops at the end of Q1, Fernando Alonso, Sergey Sirotkin, Lance Stroll, Marcus Ercisson and Stoffel Vandoorne are eliminated. Max Verstappen is out of his car, which likely means the end of his qualifying.

In Q2 it is Ferrari that leads the time chart. After the first runs, Kimi Raikkonen (1:32.884) and Sebastian Vettel (1:33.079) keep the Mercedes men at slightly over half a second. Also, at the end of Q2, the Scuderia sets the pace. Unfortunately, Verstappen is not coming out again and drops out, joined by Carlos Sainz, Kevin Magnussen, Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.

The third and final part of qualifying starts with Ferrari, Mercedes, Force India, Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hülkenberg and Charles Leclerc. Valtteri Bottas is the first to set a time (1:32.686), although his time will later be improved by his teammate Lewis Hamilton (1: 32.567) and Sebastian Vettel (1: 32.655). Kimi Raikkonen, Daniel Ricciardo and Romain Grosjean complete the top six at that moment. After the first runs, the drivers return briefly to the pits to prepare for a second and final flying lap.

When the final seconds of qualifying in Austin wind down, it is Lewis Hamilton who takes pole position with a 1:32.237. Sebastian Vettel (+0.061) and Kimi Raikkonen (+0.070) come up short by a margin. Vettel will, however, be moved back three grid spot after his penalty. Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon complete the top six.

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Results qualifying United States: