Why Verstappen's Big Mistake in Qualifying Just Made F1 United States Grand Prix 'More Fun'

One thing is for certain when it comes to Sunday's F1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Three-time champion Max Verstappen will not lead this one the whole way.

The race got a least a little more interesting—and a lot more fun—when Verstappen saw his pole-winning lap in qualifying at COTA erased because a track-limits violation. His violation in Q3 for driving outside the lines dropped him to sixth on the starting grid and handed the pole to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

“I mean I knew in (Turn) 19 it was going to be a close call,” Verstappen said. “I had a little mistake in Turn 1, I had to really push for it in the rest of the lap.

"Honestly, I didn’t even steer, I just tried to maximize the corner and I misjudged it by a little bit, it’s very fine margins when you are pushing to the limit. It makes the Sunday a bit more fun.”

For Leclerc, it's his 21st career pole and second of 2023. He also qualified on top this year at Spa and at Baku, where he finished third in the race both times.

"I think as a team we did a great job," Leclerc said. "I mean, we know that in the Sprint weekend it's more important than ever to have a clean FP1. We did. We had a good FP1. We started with a strong basis thanks to the work the guys have done to prepare this weekend, with the car straightaway feeling good.

"And yeah, then I was feeling good and the lap, I was happy throughout qualifying. The last lap in Q3, there was a bit of mistakes here and there. But I think it wasn't easy for everybody. So yeah, really happy. We're starting on pole for Sunday."

Verstappen, meanwhile will be going for his third consecutive win at COTA—a track that he's won at just twice in seven races.

Lando Norris will start second for McLaren, and Lewis Hamilton third for Mercedes. Hamilton is a five-time winner in Austin, with his most recent win here in 2017.

"Yeah, I'm happy it's been a good day," Norris said. "Probably not expected from the end result, so a good bonus for the whole team. I didn't make as many mistakes as I made last week, which is a good thing. I think we had it today. I think there was enough in it to get pole. I know Charles said he made a few mistakes, but so did I, so it's a bit of a shame. That one opportunity maybe we missed again but I'm still happy nevertheless."

Fi United States Grand Prix

Qualifying Results

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:34.723

2. Lando Norris, McLaren, +0.130

3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +0.139

4. Charles Sainz Jr., Ferrari, +0.222

5. George Russell, Mercedes, +0.356

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +0.358

7. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, +0.366

8. Esteban Ocon, Alpine, +0.431

9. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +0.450

10. Oscar Piastri, McLaren, +0.744

11. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, +0.974

12. Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, +0.975

13. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +1.135

14. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +1.157

15. Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri, +1.251

16. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, +1.512

17. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, +1.545

18. Alexander Albon, Williams, +1.592

19. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +1.866

20. Logan Sargeant, Williams, +2.104