Verstappen impressed during qualifying. He stayed ahead of Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and George Russell. World Championship leader Oscar Piastri did not get further than the sixth fastest time. Verstappen’s deficit to the Australian is currently 55 points.
Isack Hadjar causes red flag
Qualifying had barely started when Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar caused a red flag. The Frenchman, normally Max Verstappen’s teammate next year, flew off hard in Turn 6.
After some delay, Verstappen eventually set the fastest time in Q1, followed by Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Remarkably, Piastri and Norris did not get further than the eleventh and twelfth fastest time. The curtain fell for Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Alex Albon and Hadjar.
Max Verstappen makes up eight points after winning the sprint race in Austin, McLaren drivers crash
Verstappen also had total control in Q2. He was the only driver who did not come out for a second flying lap, after immediately setting a very fast time. In fact, no one came around to that time at all. Verstappen was more than one and a half tenths faster than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. Piastri only rode the eighth fastest time. Nico Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto dropped out after that second part.
Battle for pole position
It will be a repetitive story, but Verstappen was also there immediately in Q3. He drove a stunning first lap, was fastest in all sectors and almost four-tenths faster than Norris.
Then things went wrong at Red Bull, because Verstappen came out too late for his last lap, which he could no longer drive. It remained without consequences. Norris continued to improve, but was still almost three-tenths short. And World Cup leader Piastri even had to settle for only the sixth fastest time.