Max Verstappen feels that it will be difficult to compete with Ferrari this weekend. This comes after Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were the top two for both practice sessions earlier today, already highlighting how good they're looking following the summer break.
Verstappen himself ended up 3rd and 6th in the two sessions despite doing both sessions with an older Honda engine which meant that he slowed down due to lack of speed of the straight.
"The car didn't feel bad at all", Verstappen told Sky Sports.
"I think we are pretty strong in the second sector, but we had to drive the whole day with a little less power than what we normally drive on a Friday, and that's not ideal here.
I think that's why we go a bit further back-ended today.
Verstappen added that he feels it will be difficult to catch either Vettel or Leclerc this weekend.
"Tomorrow it would a lot better when we put the other engine in the car. I don't think we can beat Ferrari this weekend, but we should be a little bit closer to it. "
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USA Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 23.10.26
Practice 1
05:30 PM
Practice 2
09:00 PM
Saturday 24.10.26
Practice 3
05:30 PM
Qualification
09:00 PM
Sunday 25.10.26
Race
08:00 PM
Friday 23.10.26
Practice 1
Fri 05:30 PM
Practice 2
Fri 09:00 PM
Saturday 24.10.26
Practice 3
Sat 05:30 PM
Qualification
Sat 09:00 PM
Sunday 25.10.26
Race
Sun 08:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
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Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 224 | |
2 | FerrariFER | 171 | |
3 | MercedesMER | 168 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 145 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 134 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 96 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 68 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 43 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 43 |
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