Lando Norris saw off rival Max Verstappen to take pole position for the US Grand Prix and boost his F1 championship dream.
Verstappen claimed his first win in nearly four months when he led every lap of the sprint race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas earlier on Saturday to extend his title advantage from 52 to 54 points.
Norris finished third – after he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap – but he bounced back in qualifying to take spot, beating Verstappen by just 0.031 seconds.
Norris set the early pace in the shootout for pole, and then lucked-in when George Russell crashed out in his Mercedes at the penultimate corner.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton…
“Damn, this is far back.”
Hamilton all the way back in P17…
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:59
A reminder of the starting grid for the US Grand Prix:
Pit lane. George Russell**
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
**Russell starts in the pit lane after making changes to his car after his crash in qualifying
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:58
F1 US Grand Prix: Five minutes from lights out in Austin!
Lando Norris starts on pole with Max Verstappen – his title rival – alongside him. Can Lando keep the lead coming out of turn 1, going up the hill from the start line?
And what about the Ferraris in third and fourth?!
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:55
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, speaking on the grid:
“This is a tricky turn one, you have four or five cars which funnel to one apex. We need a good launch, the Ferraris will be tough and Max is always tough.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:53
Max Verstappen, speaking on his way to the grid:
“The last few races we’ve been struggling on race-pace. The sprint seems it’s a lot better, let’s see on full fuel if it’s the same.
“Normally if you’re quick in a sprint, it should normally replicate well to the main race. We have to be a little bit wary, but I’m hopeful.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:50
Time for the National Anthem of the United States of America!
The Star-Spangled Banner plays out at the Circuit of the Americas!
Performed by the University of Texas Longhorn Singers..
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:46
Lando Norris, speaking on the grid:
Is your car racy? “We’ll find out in 10 minutes!”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:44
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, speaking on the grid:
“The car likes this track. It’s great to be this competitive at our home race.
“Every race you do in Formula 1 is a gift, not difficult to enjoy.”
Magnussen starts P8 today.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:40
Fernando Alonso, speaking on the grid:
“A little bit of combination of things, yellow flags. All in all we start seventh, but we’re not the seventh-fastest so it will be a tough race.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:37
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: McLaren’s Lando Norris, ahead of today’s race…
“Strategy and tyre management is going to be a big thing today. In some ways drive quicker but in a better way for the tyres.
“We’ve prepared well, yesterday’s race was not bad but just not as good as the Ferraris. I’ve gone through my data, we’ve reviewed things. We have pit stops and things like that to use for our advantage.”
Kieran Jackson20 October 2024 19:33