Lando Norris beat title rival Max Verstappen from pole for the United States Grand Prix as qualifying ended prematurely following George Russell’s crash.
McLaren’s Norris put in a huge effort to edge world championship leader Verstappen by 0.031 seconds on his first flying lap in the final part of the session, before both drivers had to abort their second runs when Russell crashed at turn 19.
Verstappen emerged with a strong chance of producing a fast first sector and improving on his lead time, while Norris looked unlikely to better his early effort after failing to match his previous record in the first part of the lap.
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Highlights from Saturday’s U.S. Grand Prix qualifying
The result further boosted Norris’ hopes of cementing his position against Verstappen in Sunday’s race, after the Red Bull driver won the sprint on Saturday morning to extend his lead over the top-placed Briton by 54 points.
Ferrari closed out the second row through Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, with the Spaniard in third just three-tenths of a second off pole time.
Norris is likely to have more support from his team-mates than Verstappen on Sunday, with McLaren’s Oscar Piatri fifth and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez just 10th after having his only Q3 flying lap deleted for a track limits violation.
Russell’s crash added to a very disappointing session for Mercedes, which earlier saw Lewis Hamilton suffer a shock Q1 exit as he qualified 19th.
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Lewis Hamilton eliminated in first quarter of US Grand Prix
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was very impressive, finishing seventh ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.
Liam Lawson, competing in his first race since replacing Daniel Ricciardo at RB, made incredible progress from Q1, but a penalty for taking new engine parts meant he started at the back of the grid.
More to follow…
Live US GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
Sunday, October 20th
6:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: US GP Strengthens*
8 p.m.: United States Grand Prix*
10 PM: Checkered Flag: US GP Reaction
11 PM: Ted’s Notes
*Also shown live on Sky Sports Main Event (race build-up from 7.15pm on Sunday)
Watch the entire US GP Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time.
