US Grand Prix: Leclerc on pole in Austin as Verstappen has lap deleted
The HinduCharles Leclerc put Ferrari on pole position for Sunday’s U.S. Grand Prix after Red Bull’s triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen had a faster lap deleted for exceeding track limits and dropped to sixth on the grid. McLaren’s Lando Norris will join Leclerc on the front row, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton lining up third and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz fourth in a battle to beat dominant Red Bull for only the second time this year. Red Bull and Verstappen, who will be hunting a 50th career win on Sunday at a track where the winner has always come from the front row, have already secured the constructors’ and drivers’ championships. I know Charles said he made a few mistakes but so did I, so it’s a bit of a shame that one opportunity maybe missed again but I’m so happy nevertheless.” Hamilton’s team mate George Russell qualified fifth with Verstappen sixth, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon seventh and eighth with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez ninth and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri 10th.