Discussion Thread:
What an intense Sprint Qualifying at the United States Grand Prix in Austin! Max Verstappen edged out George Russell by a mere 0.012 seconds to grab pole position for the Sprint. It was a thrilling battle, with Russell setting the pace early, only for Verstappen to snatch it at the last moment. This session had everything from close fights at the front to unexpected eliminations.
Key Moments:
Russell’s Benchmark: George Russell looked like he had it in the bag after setting an impressive lap early on, but Verstappen delivered when it mattered, putting his Red Bull in P1 by the narrowest of margins.
Close Competition: Behind them, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris will line up third and fourth, both looking strong throughout the day. Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg round out the top six, showcasing Haas’s potential on home soil.
Surprising Exits: Sergio Perez’s disappointing weekend continued, getting knocked out in SQ2 and starting 11th. Aston Martin also had a tough day, with both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso eliminated in SQ2, starting 13th and 14th, respectively.
Drama in SQ1: Oscar Piastri had his lap deleted for exceeding track limits, dropping him down to 16th, and Alex Albon spun in a last-ditch effort, sealing his fate in 18th.
Thoughts? What do you make of Verstappen’s late charge? And do you think Russell can challenge him in the Sprint? It’s going to be an exciting race with such close margins between the top drivers. Let's talk strategy, tyre choices, and who could surprise us in the Sprint!