The grid for the Sprint at the United States Grand Prix has been set at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, with Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen lining up at the top, splitting the front row with the McLaren of Lando Norris.
During the final moments of an enthralling session, the Dutchman secured pole with a flying lap (1:32.143s), the 10th sprint pole position of his career to outqualify Norris by just 0.071s on the soft tires.
“Throughout all of the segments, we were quite close. It was just about putting it all together at the end, when it matters most, which is not easy because you go to the soft compound with no reference,” he outlined.
“It worked out well. I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow with the Sprint, but that is exactly what we want to see, right? So, I’m excited for tomorrow and happy with today.”
Meanwhile, the Brit teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri crossed the finish line over three-tenths off Verstappen’s time to qualify in third for Saturday’s 19-lap Sprint race.
“I think a pretty scruffy lap, to be honest. I just didn’t really get it together,” said Piastri during the media pen. “In some way, I feel a bit fortunate to be third, but I think the pace in the car is good.
“It’s not been a major disaster, just a bit of a messy lap, which I can hopefully tidy up tomorrow.”
All three are in contention for the Drivers’ world championship; however, the Papaya team, which claimed the Constructors’ title in Singapore, remains the favorite.
The Australian driver will share the second row with German Nico Hulkenberg, who stormed to fourth place, showcasing outstanding pace to notch Kick Sauber’s best-ever Sprint Qualifying result.
The Mercedes of George Russell and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso will start from fifth and sixth place, respectively.
While Hulkenberg was the big surprise, the Scuderia Ferrari duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will start from P8 and P10 respectively, both escaped danger in SQ2, struggling to make it through.
Provisional Sprint Qualifying Classification by FIA
