Yuki Tsunoda in action at the United States Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

F1 LIVE | Verstappen claims COTA Sprint pole against the McLarens

22:31, 17 Oct

Updated: 00:18, 18 Oct

3 Comments

byKada Sarkozi

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F1 LIVE | Sprint Qualifying at the United States Grand Prix

LiveBlog

As it is a Sprint weekend, the schedule looks a bit different this Friday. Immediately after the a single free practice session, drivers will have to get up to speed, as the weekend continues with Sprint Qualifying.

The session will be shorter than regular qualifying, and will begin at 22:30 BST (16:30 local time).

So far this season, three Sprint Qualifying sessions have been contented in China, Miami and Belgium. Max Verstappen is yet to secure a sprint pole this year, as Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in Shanghai, Kimi Antonelli surprised in Miami, and Oscar Piastri topped SQ3 at Spa.

Antonelli claimed sprint pole during the last Sprint weekend in the US - Photo: Race Pictures

Lando Norris topped FP1 in the United States, finishing ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Piastri. Max Verstappen set the fifth fastest time.

How does Sprint Qualifying work?

This will the fourth Sprint Qualifying of the 2025 season, with two more to come at Interlagos and Qatar.

There will be three sessions, similar to regular Qualifying on Saturdays.

SQ1 lasts 12, SQ2 lasts 10, and the final sessions, SQ3 lasts three minutes. Over the first two sessions, it will be mandatory for every driver to use a set of medium tyres, and only in SQ3 the soft tyres will come into play.

The championship battle continues

With six Grands Prix and three Sprints left on the calendar, Piastri currently leads Norris by 22 points in the standings.

Position	Driver	Points
P1	Oscar Piastri	336
P2	Lando Norris	314
P3	Max Verstappen	273

This weekend, a total of 33 points are on the table at the Circuit of the Americas.

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