Formula 1 is back in the USA. And a Dutchman is on the pole!
With a time of 1: 32.910, World Championship leader Max Verstappen (24) secured pole for the US Grand Prix (Sunday / 9 p.m.). Second is the record winner from Austin Lewis Hamilton (36). In an exciting finale, he was trumped on the last possible lap. Red Bull team-mate Sergio Pérez (32) starts from third place.
In the race, the two World Cup competitors are therefore on the front row. The fight for the crown goes into the next round.
For Mick Schumacher (22) it is already over after Q1. Most recently he was able to finish in the top 15 with his Haas. But Austin is no longer possible. Sebastian Vettel (34) makes it into the second session, but there he no longer goes all out.
Since the four-time world champion uses a fourth engine, he has to accept a penalty. A total of four engine penalties upset the starting grid. Vettel, George Russell (23) and Fernando Alonso (40) swap the entire drive unit and have to start from the very back. Valtteri Bottas (32) only swaps the combustion engine and receives a penalty of five places.
After one year of compulsory Corona break, the “Circuit of the Americas” in Austin (Texas) will be driven again. And with the US race, the celebrities are back too. The actors Ben Stiller (55) and William Fichtner (64) were out in the paddock during qualifying.
Formula 1 drives in Austin in front of a record-breaking number of fans. The organizers expect a total of 360,000 spectators from Friday to Sunday. On race day alone, 140,000 motorsport enthusiasts should be on the track.
After six minutes of driving in the first session, Vettel suddenly curses. Nikita Mazepin (22) in the Haas, driving in front of him, is moving slowly and probably does not make enough space – at least that’s how Vettel sees it. The Aston Martin driver is on a fast lap and has to swerve.
Charles Leclerc (24) set the fastest time in Q1. Behind them are the two Red Bulls from Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, followed by the McLarens. Hamilton and team-mate Bottas are astonishingly far behind. For Schumacher, the afternoon is over with a time of 1: 36.499.
Also out in Q1: Mazepin (1: 36.796), Kimi Raikkönen (1: 36.311), Nicolas Latifi (1: 35.995) and Lance Stroll (1: 35.983).
In Q2, many drivers come out late to set a time. Also Vettel, Alonso and Russell, who start from the back because of their punishment one way or another. But they are not taking the full risk, so the first three candidates for removal have already been determined.
At the end of the second session, the two World Cup competitors Verstappen and Hamilton are at the top. Behind are the other racing teams that were already fast in Q1.
Also out in Q2: Antonio Giovinazzi (1: 35.794) and Esteban Ocon (1: 35.377).
In Q3, Mercedes and Hamilton have to improve to get the important pole. The bolide was actually the favorite before the weekend, in Istanbul it was the fastest car in the field recently.
But with more than six minutes left on the clock, cheers suddenly break out for another driver in the stands. The Mexican is supported by many compatriots and has the best time in the meantime.
And Mercedes? Is in third and fourth place before the crucial minutes in the last session, Verstappen in second.
Hamilton finishes the last lap first. And sets the best time. Verstappen is under pressure – and delivering. Best time in the last lap!