World champion Max Verstappen missed his usual dominance two weeks after winning the Formula 1 title early.
The Dutchman (1:34.448 minutes) drove only the third best time behind the Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz (1:34.356) and Charles in qualifying for the US Grand Prix in Austin, which was overshadowed by the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz (78). Leclerc (1:34.421). For Sainz it is the third pole of his career.
Verstappen still starts from the front row. Leclerc is set back ten places on the starting grid because drive components have been replaced on his Ferrari.
With another victory in the race on Sunday (9:00 p.m. CEST), Verstappen would also give Red Bull the title in the Constructors’ World Championship. In addition, the Dutchman would equal the record for most wins in a season by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel (both 13).
Dampener for Mick Schumacher
Vettel qualified in twelfth place in the Aston Martin, but due to further penalties for the competition, he will go into the fourth-to-last race of the year from tenth place.
Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher is in danger of missing the hoped-for points again and falling further behind in the fight for a regular place with the Haas team for the 2023 season. The 23-year-old spun on the last fast lap in Q1 and couldn’t get past 19th place.
Shortly before the start of qualifying, the news of Mateschitz’s death had reached the paddock. The Austrian succumbed to “a long, serious illness” at the age of 78, as initially reported by the motorsports magazine “Speedweek”, a publication of the Red Bull group.