US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen takes Austin pole with Lando Norris second and Oscar Piastri sixth

In the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull pilot Max Verstappen beat McLaren pilot Lando Norris to move to pole position, and championship leader Oscar Piastri finished sixth.

After the McLaren drivers crashed out of the sprint early on Saturday, the world champion was unable to challenge Verstappen after failing to complete the final race in qualifying.

Verstappen was substituted out too late to make it in time to start the final lap before the checkered flag, but still edged Norris by 0.291 seconds.

It was an authoritative performance that showed why he was concerned about McLaren’s threat to the drivers’ championship.

In a difficult session, Norris saved his best for last and edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into second place by just 0.006 seconds.

But Piastri, who had looked out of sorts all weekend, was not quick and fell 0.574 seconds behind Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton’s second Ferrari.