Max Verstappen took pole at the United States Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen wipes out McLaren’s hopes with stunning pole at the US GP

00:12, 19 Oct

Updated: 00:18, 19 Oct

bySamson Ero

Max Verstappen stormed to pole with a commanding lap time ahead of both McLaren drivers at the United States Grand Prix.

The Red Bull Racing driver, who claimed pole position and victory in the Sprint race of the event, continued his stride to clinch pole for the Grand Prix.

Verstappen clocked a staggering time of 1:32.510 to seal his first pole at the Circuit of the Americas ahead of Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen in Austin - Photo: Race Pictures

How the United States Grand Prix qualifying unfolded:

US Grand Prix Q3

Mercedes driver George Russell was the first to lay down a marker with a lap time of 1:32.959. The British driver was, however, displaced by Norris.

The McLaren driver was on provisional pole until Verstappen took to the track for his flying lap. The Red Bull driver eked out a time almost four-tenths faster than Norris.

Oscar Piastri also left it late to set a lap time; however, his P6 effort was not quick enough to challenge the Red Bull driver.

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who advanced to Q3, were also well off the pace of the four-time world champion.

US Grand Prix Q2

Q2 kicked off with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli hitting the track first. The young Italian clocked the fastest time of the session, improving by half a second on his Q1 lap until Verstappen took to the grid for his qualifying run.

The Red Bull Racing driver topped the timesheet with a lap time of 1:32.701. While the front-runners largely dominated the session, the midfield teams had a fight on their hands.

Pierre Gasly had his lap time deleted, while teammate Franco Colapinto also struggled to record a time quick enough to advance past the second stage of the session. Yuki Tsunoda had his fair share of troubles, alleging that Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson impeded him on his flying lap.

Yuki Tsunoda at the Red Bull Racing garage - Photo: Race Pictures

Several other drivers, including Nico Hulkenberg, failed to reproduce the heroics of his Sprint qualifying and was only quick enough for 11th.

Drivers eliminated in Q2: P15: Colapinto, P14: Gasly, P13: Tsunoda, P12: Lawson, P11: Hulkenberg

US Grand Prix Q1

The first round of qualifying was marred by an early red flag after Isack Hadjar crashed heading into Turn Six at the Circuit of the Americas. The Racing Bulls driver found the barriers after appearing to lock up through the bumpy section of the circuit. Visibly frustrated, Hadjar became the first driver eliminated from the qualifying session.

The Frenchman was joined by Alex Albon and Lance Stroll, who both had their lap times deleted. Haas driver Esteban Ocon and Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto made up the final two drivers eliminated in the first part of qualifying.

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Several front-runners, including Lando Norris, also had moments during the opening phase. The British driver went off track on his first push lap, but he managed to set a time good enough to advance to Q2.

Drivers eliminated in Q1: P20: Hadjar, P19: Albon, P18: Stroll, P17: Ocon, P16: Bortoleto

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