Number two Charles Leclerc is stuck just over three-tenths off the Dutchman. Also, it was announced during the session that due to the engine change tomorrow, Monaco will be subject to a ten-place grid penalty. It was previously clear that Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, would drop back five places on Sunday.

This increases Verstappen’s chances of starting the race from pole. The qualifying round starts at midnight (Dutch time). The match will be held tomorrow at 9 am. With the victory, Verstappen, who has already secured his second world title, equaled the record held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. They won once in thirteen races in a season.

Watch Verstappen’s fastest lap here.

On Friday, not everything went to plan for Verstappen at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. He set the second-fastest time (behind Sains) in the first free practice, but later complained of a lack of grip. In the ensuing practice, the new Pirelli tires were tested, so little relevant data could be gathered. Verstappen quickly gave up He struck up a conversation in the paddock With Brad Pitt.

The Red Bull driver showed what he has to offer in the technical rounds on Saturday. Before the end of practice, he clocked 1.35,825. This put him 0.320 seconds faster than Leclerc, who bettered Verstappen’s best time earlier. Sainz was 0.446 seconds behind the Dutchman. Perez was fourth, more than half a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Alpine).