Verstappen airs critical concern: 'Then we are in trouble'

Max Verstappen is hopeful of avoiding becoming stuck in a DRS train during his recovery quest at the Miami Grand Prix.

The Dutchman failed to set a lap time in Q3 on Saturday after sliding wide through Turns 5, 6, 7 and 8 before aborting his attempt. This left Verstappen without a banker on the board when Charles Leclerc crashed at the same complex of corners to bring a premature end to qualifying.

Verstappen will therefore line up ninth on the grid, with teammate and main title rival Sergio Perez securing pole position.

Red Bull has shown startling speed with its Drag Reduction System deployed in the opening four races this term, though the FIA shortened two of the three DRS zones for the weekend.

"It will be a little bit tougher but with the pace of the car we have, we should be able to move forward quite quickly," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"I hope it is not going to be a DRS train because then we are in trouble.

"It is going to be a little tricky [to overtake] but most will be done into the last corner [Turn 17], or at least that you are very close and maybe you get a run into Turn 1, but we will see."

On the error that cost him vital track position on the grid, the two-time World Champion added: "I am still annoyed with myself but it is a new day, a lot of things can happen.

"It is not ideal but there is no point in being super angry or upset about it. You learn from it, I will do better again next time."