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.
