AUSTIN: Max Verstappen continued his dominant form at the United States Grand Prix by claiming pole position on Saturday, just hours after winning the sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas. The Red Bull driver clocked a best lap of 1:32.510, finishing 0.291 seconds ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren, with Charles Leclerc taking third for Ferrari.
It was Verstappen’s seventh pole of the season, his second in Austin, and the 47th of his Formula 1 career. The result further intensifies his battle with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, whose championship lead was cut to 55 points after crashing out of the sprint earlier in the day. “That was good,” Verstappen said. “The car felt strong in every segment, but the wind made it tricky in the first sector. I couldn’t complete the final run properly, but thankfully, I didn’t need it.”
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Norris, who will start second, kept his expectations realistic: “Just don’t get hit — that’s my plan for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to racing Max again.” Leclerc admitted Ferrari’s inconsistency caught him off guard: “It’s a surprise to be here. Our car has been unpredictable this weekend, but we’re usually stronger in the race.”
Grid Highlights:
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1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
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2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
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3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
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4. George Russell (Mercedes)
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5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
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6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
The qualifying session saw Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar crash early, causing a red flag, while Lance Stroll will start from the back after a sprint penalty. With scorching track temperatures of 48°C (118.4°F), the Austin Grand Prix promises another high-stakes showdown as Verstappen aims to cut deeper into McLaren’s title lead. “Simply lovely,” Verstappen summed up, as he cruised back to the paddock, his eyes already set on Sunday’s main race.