Verstappen vows to deliver Red Bull pride for Mateschitz
Red Bull driver takes front row spot on day owner passed away
Max Verstappen has promised to deliver Red Bull pride at the United States Grand Prix after co-founder and owner Dietrich Mateschitz passed away.
The announcement of Mateschitz’s death was made less than an hour before the qualifying session, with the entirety of Red Bull's workforce called to the team hospitality unit.
Verstappen eventually qualified third fastest behind both Ferraris but with Charles Leclerc hit by engine penalties, the double world champion will start alongside Carlos Sainz on the front row of the grid.
READ: Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz dies, aged 78
“It's been hard news for everyone," said Verstappen.
“I think what he has meant for Red Bull but also for the sport, and especially also for me, what he has done for me in my career so far and in general my life, it’s really tough.
“It’s a very tough day. We tried to give it everything in qualifying, unfortunately, we missed out by a little bit but there is still a race ahead, of course, and we are going to try to make him proud.”
Switching his focus to his race prospects, the Dutchman added: “I think our car normally in the race is a bit stronger than qualifying.
“Already in qualifying it was fine margins, if you could switch your tyres on a bit better that would have made a difference.
“Nonetheless we are there and I am expecting a good race.”
Related
More F1 news
Recommended by the editors
F1 News & Gossip
Decoding Newey: 'Difficult to work with', 'seriously demanding' and F1's greatest genius
Max Verstappen
F1 insider believes there's no going back for Max Verstappen after 'breach of trust' at Red Bull
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen vs Red Bull and the ticking timebomb that threatens a messy divorce
Latest F1 News
Max Verstappen reveals talks with Christian Horner after F1 exit
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page