F1 2025 United States Grand Prix Sprint Grid: Verstappen Beats McLaren Duo to Secure Third Consecutive Austin Sprint Pole
Max Verstappen proved once again why he remains one of the most formidable drivers in Formula 1, snatching a dramatic pole position for the 2025 United States Grand Prix Sprint in Austin. In a tense and closely contested session, the Red Bull driver produced a blistering final lap to deny McLaren’s Lando Norris the top spot, sealing his third consecutive Sprint pole at the Circuit of the Americas.
The reigning Sprint champion will start alongside Norris on the front row, while championship leader Oscar Piastri lines up just behind them in third. Verstappen’s performance was a clear message to both McLaren drivers that the title fight is far from over, even as he trails Piastri by 63 points heading into the weekend. With only six rounds remaining, the Dutchman’s experience and determination could yet shape the outcome of this thrilling season.
Verstappen Sends a Clear Warning to McLaren
After a few races where Red Bull struggled to match McLaren’s relentless pace, Verstappen bounced back in emphatic style under the Austin sunset. His final run was a masterclass in control, extracting every ounce of grip from his Red Bull RB21 to edge Norris by just a fraction of a second.
The Dutch driver’s achievement marks his third straight Sprint pole at the United States Grand Prix, highlighting his affinity with the Austin circuit. Having already converted both of his previous poles into victories, Verstappen will be aiming for a hat-trick in Saturday’s Sprint — and to cut into Piastri’s championship lead before the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged the fierce competition from McLaren:
> “It was really close out there. McLaren has been incredibly quick, but we found something extra when it mattered. The Sprint will be tough, but we’re in a great position to fight.”
McLaren Dominate but Miss Out on Top Spot
For McLaren, it was a bittersweet session. Lando Norris looked set for pole after a strong opening run, but Verstappen’s late surge pushed him to second. Still, a front-row start gives the Briton a valuable chance to challenge for Sprint victory and reduce Piastri’s points advantage.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, who currently leads the championship, will start third. The young Australian remains in control of the title race, but with Verstappen lurking just behind and Norris eager to make up ground, he faces immense pressure. Piastri admitted that while McLaren’s pace was solid, the team left some performance on the table:
> “We were fast, but not quite fast enough in the final sector. I’ll take P3 — we can still fight from there.”
Surprise Package and Midfield Battles
One of the biggest surprises of the session came from Nico Hulkenberg, who delivered a stunning lap to qualify fourth for Stake F1. The German veteran has quietly impressed all season and will start ahead of several top names, including George Russell and Fernando Alonso.
Russell secured fifth for Mercedes, continuing his consistent run of strong performances, while Alonso placed sixth for Aston Martin. Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, grabbed seventh after a solid showing, narrowly ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in eighth.
Hamilton’s eighth-place start was a modest outcome for the seven-time world champion, who continues to adapt to life at Ferrari. The British star admitted the team still struggles with balance issues, particularly through the high-speed corners at Austin. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, will start 10th, behind Alex Albon’s impressive ninth-placed Williams.
Further down the grid, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli continues to impress, qualifying 11th ahead of Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar. The midfield remains fiercely competitive, with Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 13th, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 14th, and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 15th.
Young Guns and the Back of the Pack
Among the rookies, Haas driver Oliver Bearman starts 16th, just ahead of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto in 17th. Red Bull’s reserve-turned-race driver Yuki Tsunoda endured a difficult session, lining up 18th after struggling with tire temperatures. Haas’s Esteban Ocon and Stake’s Gabriel Bortoleto complete the grid in 19th and 20th respectively.
For Bortoleto and Ocon, both newcomers to their respective teams this season, the focus will be on survival and seizing any opportunities from incidents ahead in the Sprint.
Provisional Grid (Pending FIA Confirmation)
Position Driver Team
1st Max Verstappen Red Bull
2nd Lando Norris McLaren
3rd Oscar Piastri McLaren
4th Nico Hulkenberg Stake
5th George Russell Mercedes
6th Fernando Alonso Aston Martin
7th Carlos Sainz Williams
8th Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
9th Alex Albon Williams
10th Charles Leclerc Ferrari
11th Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
12th Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls
13th Pierre Gasly Alpine
14th Lance Stroll Aston Martin
15th Liam Lawson Racing Bulls
16th Oliver Bearman Haas
17th Franco Colapinto Alpine
18th Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull
19th Esteban Ocon Haas
20th Gabriel Bortoleto Stake
Note: Grid remains provisional until confirmed by the FIA.
With Verstappen back on top, McLaren’s dominance faces its biggest challenge yet. The Sprint promises fireworks, with title implications at every corner of the Circuit of the Americas. As the lights go out, fans can expect nothing less than pure F1 drama under the Texas sky.
