Verstappen banking on track evolution after slippery Vegas start

Max Verstappen says cold conditions and a slick surface made for a challenging opening day on the Strip Circuit, something he expected.

With track temperatures struggling to climb above single digits Celsius, the 6.2-km street circuit proved treacherously slippery, leaving the Dutchman – and indeed his colleagues – struggling to build confidence and generate tyre grip.

While the RB21 has thrived on low-drag configurations elsewhere, the combination of freezing temperatures and a green, low-grip street surface meant the usual playbook offered no guarantees.

“It's a lot colder here and the surface is very slippery so you cannot compare them to other tracks just because it's low downforce, it's not a given that you are going to be quick here,” he explained.

However, Verstappen believes the track will evolve significantly over the weekend, and with it, the pecking order.

Interrupted Running Leaves Questions Unanswered

The opening session saw Verstappen slot into fourth, just behind surprise pacesetter and team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, with both Red Bulls within touching distance of Charles Leclerc’s fastest time.

Free Practice 2, however, was heavily disrupted. Two lengthy stoppages for track inspections prevented many drivers – including Verstappen – from completing proper qualifying simulations on the soft tyre.

The reigning world champion ended the day ninth, half a second off Lando Norris but without a representative lap on the red-walled compound.

"It's been okay, bit difficult to understand what to do with those interruptions," Verstappen said when asked about the car’s overall balance.

• Read also: Verstappen wants Ricciardo’s race number for 2026 – but why?

With the championship fight still alive – Verstappen trails Norris by 49 points and is chasing a fifth consecutive drivers’ title – every tenth will count.

And the 28-year-old knows that unlocking tyre performance in these frigid conditions will be crucial if Red Bull is to repeat its 2023 triumph under the Las Vegas lights.

As the track rubbers in and temperatures remain stubbornly low, Verstappen’s fate this weekend may hinge on how quickly the surface comes to him rather than the other way around.

The message from Thursday was therefore clear: in Las Vegas, nothing can be taken for granted.

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