AUSTIN, Texas — Max Verstappen was in dominant form during qualifying for the United States Grand Prix, the Dutchman clinching pole position despite a potential moment of drama in the final runs.
Verstappen has seized pole position for the United States Grand Prix, the Dutchman’s initial lap in the third qualifying session proving enough to secure him the top spot after running out of time to put in a second effort.
Having set the pace through Q1 and Q2, Verstappen looked to have continued that theme by going quickest during the opening laps of Q3 on an effort of 1 minute and 32.510 seconds.
“The wind picked up today compared to yesterday, and it managed to turn a little bit, so a full-on tailwind into all of the esses, so you just lose downforce,” Verstappen explained. “The car is moving around a lot more, even compared to yesterday, so that made it a bit harder.
“Of course, in some corners, you gain a bit of lap time back, but you can’t commit as much as you normally can into sector one.”
While he attempted to go again in the final runs, the Red Bull driver did not reach the line before the checkered flag waved, meaning that he would have to rely on his earlier effort.
It turned out to be enough, with his time putting him 0.291 seconds clear of closest challenger Lando Norris in second. The McLaren driver was only six-thousandths ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third, while Mercedes’ George Russell slotted into fourth.
The other Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton was fifth. Point leader Oscar Piastri was sixth in the second McLaren.
