United States GP: Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to Sprint pole after close battle | F1 News

Max Verstappen edged Lando Norris on the Sprint pole at the United States Grand Prix by 0.071 seconds to strengthen a potential title battle.

Norris dominated SQ1 and SQ2 but, not for the first time this year, Verstappen produced an incredible lap when it mattered most to beat Norris and championship leader Oscar Piastri, who was almost four tenths off the pace.

Verstappen has taken 41 points from Piastri in the last three races and trails the Australian by 63 points with six rounds remaining, with points available in Saturday’s Sprint at 6 p.m., live Sky Sports F1.

“Superb final sector from Max Verstappen,” said Sky Sports F1by Martin Brundle in commentary.

“Once again he delivers something that no one else on this grid can deliver at the moment. Absolutely extraordinary the way he kept the speed.”

Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg took an incredible fourth place ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have only just qualified for SQ3, where they could only qualify eighth and 10th respectively, with Williams duo Carlos Sainz seventh and Alex Albon ninth.

While Verstappen took pole, Red Bull got the timing wrong in SQ1 for Yuki Tsunoda who ran out of time to start a final flying lap and was therefore eliminated in 18th.

What’s next…

Sky Sports F1 US GP Live Schedule

Saturday October 18
5:00 p.m.: preparation for the United States GP Sprint
6 p.m.: US SPRINT GP
7 p.m.: Ted’s sprint log
9 p.m.: preparation for qualifying for the United States GP*
10 p.m.: US GP QUALIFYING*
00:00 (Sunday morning): Ted’s qualification log*

Sunday October 19
6:30 p.m.: Sunday Grand Prix: preparation for the United States GP*
8 p.m.: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10 p.m.: Checkered flag: reaction from the United States GP
11 p.m.: Ted’s notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in North America for the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime