The only free practice session for the American Grand Prix provided little insight into the sprint qualification later in the afternoon. However, Max Verstappen fired another warning shot at both McLarens by securing pole position.
Before the sprint qualification, there’s a bit of tension for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Both the Ferrari and Williams teams have to hastily install a new gearbox, which these days doesn’t have any annoying consequences (penalties) for the drivers. For the mechanics of both teams, this is a task that can be completed within two hours, allowing the Monegasque and Spaniard to get into the car on time.
The well-known sprint format (first session of 12 minutes and the second of ten, both with new mediums, and the final session of eight minutes with new softs) makes the track busy from the first second. Mercedes keeps both drivers in the garage the longest. After the first runs, Max Verstappen leads the list, but loses that spot to Lando Norris. The Brit is a tenth faster.
Eliminated: Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, and Oliver Bearman.
Verstappen plays it safe and waits for the departure light early for the follow-up session. He is fast again, recording the best time. But just like in the previous round, Norris beats him. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren lags behind his teammate and Verstappen with the third position (for now). Nico Hülkenberg is the surprise in SQ2 with a fifth place, Kimi Antonelli the unfortunate one with P11.
Eliminated: Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli.
The sprint qualification of the American GP also has its sting in the tail. For a moment, Nico Hülkenberg can hope for a small miracle, leading the list with a minute to go, but he ultimately can’t stand up to the power of both McLarens and Verstappen representing Stake F1. Still, his fourth place is the surprise of the day. And Verstappen keeps his word. ‘If the car is good, I’ll be there,’ he said on Thursday. With a minimal difference (0.071), he pushes Norris off the top spot in the final meters. World Championship leader Piastri completes the top-3.
