'Extraordinary' Verstappen pips Norris to Sprint pole in Austin

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Max Verstappen pipped Lando Norris to Sprint pole at the United States Grand Prix by 0.071s to reinforce a possible title fightback.

Norris topped SQ1 and SQ2 but, not for the first time this year, Verstappen delivered an incredible lap when it mattered most to beat Norris and championship leader Oscar Piastri, who was nearly four tenths off the pace.

Verstappen has taken 41 points out of Piastri in the last three races and trails the Australian by 63 points with six rounds to go, with points available in Saturday's Sprint at 6pm, live on Sky Sports F1.

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"Stunning final sector from Max Verstappen," said Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle on commentary.

"Once again, he delivers something nobody else on this grid can deliver at this time. Absolutely extraordinary the way he just kept the speed."

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Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has played down speculation linking Red Bull's Max Verstappen with a move to the team in 2027

Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg took an incredible fourth ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc only just squeaked through to SQ3, where they could only qualify eighth and 10th respectively, with Williams duo Carlos Sainz in seventh and Alex Albon in ninth.

While Verstappen took pole, Red Bull got the timing wrong in SQ1 for Yuki Tsunoda who ran out of time to start a last flying lap so he was knocked out in 18th.

United States GP Sprint Qualifying: Top 10

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2) Lando Norris, McLaren

3) Oscar Piastri, McLaren

4) Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

5) George Russell, Mercedes

6) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin

7) Carlos Sainz, Williams

8) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

9) Alex Albon, Williams

10) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

More to follow...

Sky Sports F1's live United States GP schedule

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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the United States Grand Prix

Saturday October 18
5pm: United States GP Sprint build-up
6pm: UNITED STATES GP SPRINT
7pm: Ted's Sprint Notebook
9pm: United States GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GP QUALIFYING*
12am (Sunday morning): Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday October 19
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted's Notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 are in North America for the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

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