“Don’t Have a Clue,” Max Verstappen Makes Big Confession After Qualifying Disaster at Austrian GP

Max Verstappen was not optimistic over his prospects following a dismal session in Qualifying at Red Bull's home race.

“Don’t Have a Clue,” Max Verstappen Makes Big Confession After Qualifying Disaster at Austrian GP

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull Content Pool)

Max Verstappen‘s 2025 campaign seems to only be going from bad to worse. The reigning world champion’s struggles have continued at Red Bull’s home race in Austria. After an unlucky outing in Qualifying, Verstappen admitted that the team seemed to be nowhere close to the frontrunners.

Qualifying at the Austrian GP provided for some exciting action for fans. McLaren and Ferrari seemed to be in a close battle for pole position. Ultimately, it was Lando Norris who eclipsed Charles Leclerc to clinch pole for Sunday’s race.

On the other hand, Max Verstappen struggled throughout the session. The Dutch driver complained on the team radio over a lack of drivability with the car. Verstappen even got unlucky with yellow flags in Q3, forcing him to abandon his final run. The Red Bull star will start the race from seventh place.

Following the session, the reigning world champion admitted that there was no reason for him to look at his Qualifying run. Rather, the Dutchman was more focused on the Sunday race. Verstappen pointed out that Red Bull seemed to be far behind McLaren in terms of pace. Moreover, the 27-year-old admitted that he had no clue over Red Bull’s deficit to Ferrari and Mercedes this weekend.

There’s not much of a choice because looking at today is not an option with this drama! but even that, I don’t think it’s strong enough. Surely not compared to the Mclarens. They’re on another level. and compared to Ferrari and Mercedes we also don’t have a clue. If the balance is the same as in qualifying, then there’s not much left. It’ll be a very long day.

Max Verstappen said post-qualifying

Max Verstappen not concerned over lost Q3 run

Yellow flags disrupted the last couple of minutes of Q3. This is usually the most important part of Qualifying. Drivers can gain valuable time as the track gets quicker. Unfortunately, the yellow flags forced Max Verstappen to give up on his final run, which could’ve allowed him to move up much further up the order.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

However, Max Verstappen was not concerned about the lost opportunity. The Dutch driver pointed out that even if he had continued his run without any interruptions, he would’ve been far behind Norris’ pole lap. Thus, in Verstappen’s eyes, the yellow flags did not make much of a difference, as he likely wouldn’t have been able to take pole position anyway.

That’s still 5-6 tenths off.. So that doesn’t matter at all. I only look at the first place and then you’re still 5-6 tenths off that’s an awful lot.

Max Verstappen added

The reigning world champion is having a hard time this year, with this result further making matters worse. Red Bull might have to see its star driver fail to make it even on the podium at their home race this weekend. Nevertheless, anything can happen on Sunday, and Verstappen is a driver who will always push the car to the limit.

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