United States Grand Prix Qualifying Round-up


Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix was built up by the chaos of the sprint race earlier in the day, both McLarens retiring and needing to bounce back for the main Grand Prix on Sunday. 

Q1 started and Isack Hadjar had a torrent time on his first run which bought out the red flag. He lost rear downforce into turn 5 and spun and had a hard impact on the wall, going in front racing. A very high speed accident for the VCARB driver who will start last for the race.


15 minutes on the clock as the green flag fell and the first laps came through the timing screen. Leclerc set the pace initially from Verstappen and Hamilton. Lando Norris had a huge moment at turn 9, his McLaren sliding at the rear, wasting a set of tyres and going of track. Both McLarens P6 and P7 at the early stages, perhaps on the back foot. Verstappen regained that top spot at the end of the first part of Qualifying from the 2 Mercedes drivers. Lawson, Hulkenburg and Gasly (P5,P6 and P7) decent laps for them in the bag and through. McLaren P11 and P12. Albon (turn 15) and Stroll (turn 12) both had lap times deleted saving Tsunoda and Colapinto. They went out with Bortoleto, Ocon and Hadjar.


Q2 started with an issue with Lando Norris' steering wheel grip. His entire left hand grip had 'come off' and requested a wheel change for the 2nd run in the session. Russell had an oversteer moment on the last corner, used tyres for the Mercedes not giving him the grid he wanted on traction. Gasly had his first laptime deleted, struggling at turn 5 and the last corner leaving him on the backfoot for the 2nd run later. Verstappen set the pace again 1.32.701 to his name from Leclerc, Norris and Hamilton.

The last laps came in for Q2 but Verstappen stayed in the garage, trusting that he was safe and staying top of the session. Hulkenburg had a laptime deleted but was out anyway with Lawson, Tsuonda and both Alpines. No one else really improved, Antonelli setting a purple middle sector but no improvement overall. Ollie Bearman had an off at turn 5 but sneaked in the top 10 and into Q3. Piastri P8, work for him to do in the top 10 shootout.


The most intense session in qualifying, Q3, and it was kicked off with Verstappen yet again was P1 with a 1.32.510, nearly 4 tenths of a second separating him to Norris. Both Mercedes P3 and P4 for the moment with a really good effort from Bearman in P5 too. Ferrari didn't have good laps, Leclerc span on the last turn and his lap was ruined and a big lock up from Hamilton at turn 1; P9 and P10 for the Scuderia from the first runs.

The final part of Q3 and new tyres all round for the top 10, all to play for with the best track conditions on display. Verstappen unbelievablely didn't make the chequered flag and missed the opportunity to further his pole time but didn't even need a second go as he secured pole position for the United States Grand Prix, his laptime absolutely untouchable for anyone to beat. Norris will line up next to him and Leclerc wrestling his Ferrari to P3. Russell improved his time to P4 with Hamilton right behind him.

A disaster for Piastri again from the sprint to qualifying, P6 for the Aussie. Antonelli, Bearman, Sainz and Alonso rounded out the top 10.


This was the full result for the United States Grand Prix Qualifying:



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