P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen roared to a first Sprint pole of the season in the United States in Austin.
Max Verstappen expressed his determination to make a strong start in the United States Grand Prix Sprint after securing a surprising pole position. During the SQ3 flying laps, he set a time of 1:32.143, beating Lando Norris’s attempt and marking his first Sprint pole of the season. This victory also brought his total Sprint pole count to 10, the highest among all drivers. Having previously won poles in Austin in 2023 and 2024, Verstappen aims to close the gap to Oscar Piastri in the standings. His wins in Italy and Azerbaijan on low-downforce tracks make Austin a crucial test of his championship aspirations. Verstappen emphasized the importance of a strong start to maintain his position and expects a tough battle in the upcoming Sprint race.
