Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass at the Circuit of the Americas, taking pole position for the US Grand Prix with a blistering lap that left his rivals trailing. The Red Bull driver’s performance underscored his resurgence in the title race, as he continues to close the gap on championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen’s lap of 1:32.510 was untouchable, placing him three-tenths clear of Lando Norris, who will start second. Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton completed the top five, while Piastri struggled to find rhythm and could only manage sixth on the grid. Red Bull’s improved pace in recent rounds suggests their early-season struggles are firmly behind them, with Verstappen’s dominance in both the sprint and qualifying sessions confirming their return to form.
The day, however, was overshadowed by another clash between McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri. On the opening lap of the sprint race, Piastri attempted to cut inside his teammate but was struck by Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber, sending his car into Norris’s McLaren. The resulting collision ended both drivers’ races and reignited tensions within the team. The incident followed a previous confrontation in Singapore, where Norris’s aggressive move on Piastri caused contact and internal friction.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed frustration, describing the crash as a costly loss of points and emphasizing the need for “normal racing” between his drivers. The team faces increasing difficulty managing two drivers locked in a close title fight while maintaining parity and discipline within the garage.
Despite limited preparation time to repair their damaged cars, both Norris and Piastri returned for qualifying, though only Norris could mount a meaningful challenge to Verstappen. The Briton, 22 points behind his teammate in the standings, views Sunday’s race as an opportunity to strike back—though his focus will likely be on avoiding further contact.
Verstappen’s recent run of form has transformed the championship picture. Once 97 points adrift before the summer break, he now sits just 55 points behind Piastri after a string of strong results. With Red Bull’s pace returning and McLaren’s internal rivalry escalating, the US Grand Prix promises to be another pivotal chapter in this fiercely contested season.
