Hezemans: Verstappen could be hard to stop with an Austin win

Mike Hezemans says Max Verstappen could become difficult to stop if he wins the United States Grand Prix in Austin, but he is not ready to call the Dutchman a clear favorite. Verstappen is seeking a third consecutive Grand Prix victory, a run he last managed in the final three races of 2025.

The last two race weekends put Verstappen back at the front. Since the latest upgrade package for the RB22, driver and car have appeared a formidable combination, but Hezemans says Austin is a very different circuit.

Hezemans says he has heard in the paddock that high humidity played a role at the previous two races; he does not expect the same humidity in Austin. He expects temperatures of about 27–28°C, with cooler conditions in the evening.

Hezemans also sees question marks over the opposition. Ferrari is bringing updates, he says, while Mercedes still seems unsure of its direction. He notes that Kimi Antonelli is gaining information and experience and was ultimately faster than George Russell in Singapore, although Saturday's sprint did not go well.

Hezemans argues that a well-balanced car can win on any circuit and points to Verstappen's performance at Singapore, where he was also dominant. Austin has no sprint, giving teams more time to find the right setup. The weekend's opening phase and whether the simulations work immediately could determine how easily they can build on that setup, he says.