Lando Norris concedes McLaren is “on the back foot” for the US GP after both cars were taken out in the sprint, leaving the team without critical setup data and facing an unpredictable main race.
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko admits Max Verstappen “lost interest” in F1 during a difficult season, but a key car update and GT racing win have re-energized the defending champion’s title bid.
Max Verstappen claimed pole for the US sprint with a last-minute flyer, beating McLaren’s Norris and Piastri, while Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg delivered a stunning P4 shock in Austin.
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari has “a mountain to climb” after taking eighth in US Grand Prix sprint qualifying—customer team Stake and Nico Hulkenberg outpace the works squad.
George Russell ruled out a sprint pole at Austin, citing track conditions and timing, but expects Mercedes’ race pace will let him fight for P4 after Hulkenberg’s surprise Q3 lap.
Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies apologized to Yuki Tsunoda after a strategic error in Austin’s sprint qualifying left him unable to start a final lap—placing him 18th on the grid.
Liam Lawson believes experience at familiar circuits is key to keeping his F1 seat, as the Racing Bulls prospect uses every opportunity to prove his worth amid stiff competition for 2026.
McLaren has held Lando Norris accountable for his near-collision with Oscar Piastri in Singapore, with Norris confirming “consequences” for the incident—though the team isn’t revealing what they are.
