MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: Exactly how did Verstappen negate a brake problem to rise from P6 and take the win?

/MMD-USA-2023.webp)
Everyone was assuming that Max Verstappen would win the United States Grand Prix despite starting only P6. The lap he’d had deleted for track limits in qualifying would have been pole, after all. And he’d totally blitzed Saturday’s Sprint event from pole, pulling out 9s on Lewis Hamilton’s upgraded Mercedes in just 19 laps.
But Verstappen himself wasn’t so sure, and knew he had a very tough job ahead of him. To get past five cars while keeping the delicate tyres in shape on a track which induces super-high rear temperatures would be a challenge. Furthermore, around the Circuit of The Americas the RB19 wasn’t as quick as usual.
Next Up
Related Articles
McNish reflects on first weekend as Audi Racing Director
Vowles explains why Williams had a 'messy' winter
ExclusiveMcNish on stepping into the hot seat at Audi
How Antonelli has made best points start in 10 years
F1 and Sky agree new partnership across UK, Ireland, and Italy
Wolff on the importance of keeping the pressure off Antonelli
