Max Verstappen stormed to pole position at the United States Grand Prix by a margin of nearly three-tenths of a second as McLaren were put under even more pressure in Austin. Lando Norris pipped Charles Leclerc to the other spot on the front row, while Drivers’ Championship leader Oscar Piastri endured a miserable session, finishing sixth in the order.
There was early chaos in Q1 as Isack Hadjar clattered into the barriers. Nobody had set a representative lap at the time of the Racing Bulls rookie’s crash. He at least gained one position for the starting grid as Lance Stroll picked up a five-place grid penalty following a clumsy crash with Esteban Ocon during the closing laps of Saturday’s sprint race.
Q2 centred around Yuki Tsunoda, who was unable to follow up his point-scoring finish in the sprint race with a Q3 appearance. He was seething with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson after his penultimate run, accusing the New Zealander of deliberately sabotaging his lap times.
In Q3, Verstappen laid out his stall. Despite failing to get across the line in time to complete a final qualifying lap, the Dutchman went unchallenged. There was a disaster for the World Championship leader, though, as Piastri came across the line to qualify sixth. He now faces a critical afternoon of damage limitation on Sunday.
United States Grand Prix starting grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
8. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & http://Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and http://Express.co.uk .
