Max Verstappen suffered a nightmare with track limits as the reigning world champion will start the United States Grand Prix from sixth on the grid to cap a horrible day for Red Bull. The Dutchman saw his lap time deleted by the stewards, which would have secured him pole position, after running wide at Turn 19, leaving him way down the order, while Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a big improvement in his Mercedes.
That allowed Charles Leclerc to secure his 21st career pole after the Ferraris turned on the pace in sizzling Austin temperatures. Lando Norris put in a superb lap to secure a front-row spot next to Leclerc, with Hamilton also narrowly missing out on pole and having to settle for third.
Carlos Sainz managed to squeeze ahead of George Russell in fourth with Verstappen needing to make up places in the race to get at least a podium. But with the championship already secured, the 26-year-old will be feeling relaxed as he no longer needs to pick up points.
He can at least console himself with the fact his team-mate Sergio Perez is behind him in ninth position after another limp display from the Mexican in qualifying.
Express Sport brings you live updates and all of the build-up ahead of Saturday’s sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas.
