Max Verstappen showed the world that its not over in the F1 championship after qualifying on pole for the US Grand Prix Sprint Race. Red Bull have struggle over the last few races seeing lose after lose to McLaren in the constructors championship race. Likewise Verstappen who once held a near triple digit lead in championships sees himself in recently unfamiliar territory. Red Bull’s dominance the last two seasons versus their performance in 2024 had Formula 1 fans in a state of shock at the season mid way point.
It’s clear that McLaren found something they didn’t have at the beginning of the season but now that Verstappen has secured pole once again can the same possibly said for Red Bull. It’s no doubt that Sergio Perez has not performed up to expectation in 2024 and the constructors championship is now a chase for the Red Bull side. Perez finished P11 behind the McLaren of Lando Norris. The teams goal will be to start to chip away at the championship point lead. With 6 race weekends left including the US Grand Prix. Every point available could decide the balance.
George Russell Has a Good Showing
George Russell finished sprint qualifying in P2 ahead of Charles Leclerc in third. Russel said, “I’m really happy with how today went. It has been a while since we qualified on the front-row so we can be pleased with the progress we have made. The update kit we brought here seems to be working well although it has surprised us a little how competitive we were today. Sprint Qualifying was a tricky session, but I was able to put my lap in SQ3 together. The final sector in particular was strong and that is what enabled us to take P2.
Lewis was very quick today, and he was unlucky to be caught out by a yellow flag. We both should have been up there but it’s great that, as a team, we were back in the mix today. It is also clearly very close with several other outfits including Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. Hopefully we can continue this form into the weekend and look forward to fighting at the front.”
US Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying Results
| Pos | Driver | Car | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 |
|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:33.908 | 1:33.290 | 1:32.833 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:34.125 | 1:33.544 | 1:32.845 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:33.647 | 1:33.392 | 1:33.059 |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:33.919 | 1:33.566 | 1:33.083 |
| 5 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:34.109 | 1:33.274 | 1:33.089 |
| 6 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas Ferrari | 1:34.825 | 1:33.994 | 1:33.183 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:33.840 | 1:33.370 | 1:33.378 |
| 8 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 1:34.403 | 1:33.788 | 1:33.398 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB Honda RBPT | 1:34.646 | 1:34.052 | 1:33.802 |
| 10 | Franco Colapinto | Williams Mercedes | 1:34.606 | 1:33.952 | 1:34.406 |
| 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:34.333 | 1:34.244 | |
| 12 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:34.865 | 1:34.363 | |
| 13 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:34.324 | DNF | |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:34.436 | DNF | |
| 15 | Liam Lawson | RB Honda RBPT | 1:34.617 | DNF | |
| 16 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:34.881 | | |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 1:34.917 | | |
| 18 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:35.054 | | |
| 19 | Valtteri Bottas | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:35.148 | | |
| 20 | Zhou Guanyu | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:36.472 | | |