P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen snatched pole position from Mercedes’ George Russell for Saturday’s Sprint race at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
In an intense Sprint qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas, Max Verstappen demonstrated championship form, snatching the top spot from Russell in the final moments by a mere 0.012s. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured third place, showcasing the competitiveness of the 2024 F1 season. The initial practice session hinted at Ferrari’s strong performance, with Carlos Sainz and Leclerc dominating. However, surprises came in Sprint Qualifying as drivers like Oscar Piastri and Esteban Ocon faced early exits due to various challenges. The tight competition continued through the final session, as Red Bull’s Verstappen claimed victory and Lewis Hamilton struggled to match the pace. Ultimately, Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg finished ahead of Hamilton in sixth place, shaping an eventful Sprint Qualifying outcome.
