United States Grand Prix: Qualifying Recap

Uralkali Haas F1 Team drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin qualified 19th and 20th, respectively, for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, Round 17 of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship at Circuit of the Americas. With grid penalties being applied to Alonso (Alpine), Russell (Williams) and Vettel (Aston Martin), Schumacher will start the race in 16th and Mazepin 17th.

Schumacher and Mazepin exited qualifying after the opening session – Q1, where only the top 15 progress. Schumacher ran three sets of new Pirelli P Zero Red soft tires with his second set of rubber delivering his fastest lap of 1:36.499. Mazepin opted to run two sets of the soft compound with his best lap of 1:36.796 delivered on his final timed outing.

Max Verstappen claimed pole position – the Red Bull Racing driver edging his title rival, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, by .209 of a second with a hot lap of 1:32.910.

Nikita Mazepin, Driver No. 9, Uralkali Haas F1 Team

“I’m struggling with high-speed balance, so I needed to see what the car does when I go a little faster and the way you test that is you do carry it faster, and it’s not difficult for me to bring it back when it mattered. I explored the limits as you do when you’re 10th in the constructors’ championship – you want to try and extract more than physics can bring you and make a miracle.”

 

Mick Schumacher, Driver No. 47, Uralkali Haas F1 Team

“Enjoyment was high, luck was low! We were a bit unlucky with the last set of tires as we didn’t really get to go before they cooled, so we started the lap with very cold tires and unfortunately that meant we had very low grip in the first sector – and that’s where we needed it. It wasn’t meant to be today, but we’ll try our best tomorrow.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Uralkali Haas F1 Team

“The guys gave it their best today, as they always do. Nikita got a bit of extra running in on his side to begin with on his first set. He then duly delivered a solid lap when he put his second set on which was good to see. Mick was unfortunate not to get a faster lap in on his final run but that’s the way it goes sometimes. As I said before, we’re just happy to be here in front of these fans and we look ahead to Sunday’s race now. We’ll be moving up the grid a bit with the penalties for the other cars, but we know keeping them behind us will be a struggle. Everyone will give it their all – there’s no change in our approach. Let’s see what happens.”
 

Today's Data

Event: Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix – Saturday October 23
Location: Circuit of the Americas, Austin
Layout: 5.513-kilometer (3.426-mile), 20-turn circuit
Weather: Sunny
Air Temps: 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit)
Track Temps: 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit)
Pole Winner: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:32.910) 
Result: Mick Schumacher (MSC) qualified 19th, Nikita Mazepin (MAZ) qualified 20th 
Notes: MSC to start 16th / MAZ to start 17th – after grid penalties applied to Alonso / Vettel / Russell

Free Practice No. 3 Rundown

Schumacher: 19th overall (1:36.671), 15 laps completed
Mazepin: 20th overall *(2:03.456), 15 laps completed (*Fastest Lap Deleted for Track Limits)
Fastest: Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing (1:34.701)

Q1 Rundown: 

18-minute session with all 20 drivers – Top 15 advance to Q2

Schumacher: 19th overall (1:36.499)
Mazepin: 20th overall (1:36.796)
Fastest: Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari (1:34.153) 

Q2 Rundown: 

15-minute session featuring the Top 15 from Q1 – Top 10 advance to Q3

Fastest: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:33.464) 

Q3 Rundown: 

12-minute session featuring the Top 10 from Q2

Pole Winner: Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (1:32.910)
Second: Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes (1:33.119)