F1 Sprint Qualifying Results: Verstappen Snatches Sprint Pole as McLaren’s Dominance Falters in Austin Thriller
Max Verstappen proved once again why he remains one of Formula 1’s fiercest competitors, delivering a stunning final lap to secure sprint pole at the 2025 United States Grand Prix in Austin. The reigning world champion defied early challenges from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, sealing the top spot in dramatic fashion and marking his third consecutive sprint pole at the Circuit of the Americas.
After a turbulent run of results in recent rounds, Verstappen looked revitalized in Texas. The Dutchman’s Red Bull came alive in the decisive SQ3 session, where he clocked a blistering 1:32.143, narrowly edging out Norris by just 0.071 seconds. Piastri, who has been leading the title charge, settled for third, 0.380 seconds off Verstappen’s pace, as McLaren fell short in their attempt to lock out the front row once again.
The surprise of the session came from Nico Hulkenberg, who stunned the paddock by putting his Sauber into fourth place—a massive result for a team that has struggled for most of the season. Hulkenberg’s consistency through all three qualifying stages was remarkable, managing to stay within half a second of Verstappen’s benchmark time.
Behind him, George Russell took fifth for Mercedes, narrowly ahead of Fernando Alonso in sixth, while Carlos Sainz continued Williams’ impressive form by claiming seventh. The Ferrari duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc endured a frustrating day, finishing eighth and tenth respectively, separated by Williams’ Alex Albon, who impressed once again with a solid ninth-place performance.
Hamilton and Leclerc struggled for pace throughout the day. Both scraped through to SQ3 after barely surviving elimination in SQ2—Leclerc finishing 13th in the first session before recovering slightly, while Hamilton appeared visibly unhappy with Ferrari’s balance. Their results mirrored their earlier performances in previous qualifying rounds, suggesting Ferrari may have hit a performance ceiling in Austin.
Further down the order, Kimi Antonelli missed out on the top 10 for Mercedes, finishing 11th, just ahead of Isack Hadjar in 12th for Racing Bulls. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) rounded out the SQ2 eliminations.
The session was marred by chaos in SQ1, as a poorly timed pit lane traffic jam led to several drivers missing the chance to start their final flying laps. Yuki Tsunoda was one of the biggest casualties, failing to cross the line in time and ending up a disappointing 18th. The Japanese driver’s nightmare season with Red Bull continues, as yet another qualifying mishap compounds what has been a campaign full of frustration and missed opportunities.
Ollie Bearman (Haas), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Esteban Ocon (Haas), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) also failed to advance beyond the first session, joining Tsunoda among the early exits.
The overall pace pattern from the day highlighted the continuing three-way title battle between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri. The trio once again dominated every stage of qualifying, setting the top three times in both SQ1 and SQ2, showcasing their control over the rest of the grid. Verstappen’s resurgence, however, sends a powerful message—his determination to claw back into championship contention is far from over.
For McLaren, the result was a mixed one. While both drivers remain within striking distance for Saturday’s sprint, Verstappen’s performance was a reminder that Red Bull’s threat cannot be underestimated, especially as the season edges toward its final stretch.
As the grid prepares for the sprint race, the question remains: can Verstappen convert his pole into victory and reassert his dominance, or will McLaren strike back under the Texas sun? With Hulkenberg poised to capitalize on any mistakes ahead, and Ferrari desperate for redemption, the Austin sprint promises high drama and intense wheel-to-wheel action from lights out to the chequered flag.
Final Sprint Qualifying Results – United States Grand Prix 2025:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:32.143
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.071s
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.380s
4. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – +0.502s
5. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.745s
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +0.767s
7. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.768s
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.892s
9. Alex Albon (Williams) – +0.956s
10. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.961s
Eliminated in SQ2: Antonelli, Hadjar, Gasly, Stroll, Lawson
Eliminated in SQ1: Bearman, Colapinto, Tsunoda, Ocon, Bortoleto
