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Verstappen says COTA bumps complicate Red Bull setup search

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-24GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Verstappen was second in FP1 and third in FP2, but said the bumps at COTA made it harder to find a setup for both slow and fast corners.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Max Verstappen began the United States Grand Prix weekend with two top-three finishes in Friday practice, yet said the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas made it difficult to find a setup compromise for slow and fast corners.

He was second behind Charles Leclerc in FP1 and third in FP2. Leclerc set the afternoon benchmark at 1:35.291, with Kimi Antonelli between them; Verstappen was 0.189 seconds off Leclerc’s time.

Verstappen said Red Bull worked on the car’s rhythm and balance between the sessions. “There is still some work to be done, but it wasn't a bad start to the weekend.”

Sources 02
  1. SOURCEMax Verstappen details 'bumpy' balancing act ahead of United States GPRacingNews365 English
  2. SOURCEVerstappen in Red Bull-spagaat: "Dat is nooit makkelijk"RacingNews365 Nederland