Formula One has returned to the United States for the 19th round of the 2024 world championship at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. Lando Norris secured pole position for tomorrow’s U.S. Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton faced a surprising exit in Q1.
Earlier in the day, Max Verstappen won the F1 sprint race, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship to 54 points. The Grand Prix is set to start on Sunday at 3pm ET (8pm BST).
Hamilton’s struggles were evident as he faced technical issues with his Mercedes, leading to a disappointing P19 finish in Q1. The qualifying session also saw Kevin Magnussen reach Q3 for the first time in 2024, leaving Zhou Guanyu as the only driver without a Q3 appearance this season.
The top-10 qualifying results saw Norris take pole position, with Verstappen closely behind by 0.031 seconds. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari secured third and fourth place, respectively. George Russell’s crash in the final sector prevented any improvements, solidifying Norris’s pole position.
In Q2, Nico Hulkenberg failed to make it through to Q3, marking a surprising turn of events for Haas. Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, and Liam Lawson were also eliminated in Q2, with Lawson set to start at the back of the grid due to grid penalties.
Fernando Alonso delivered a strong performance in Q2, outpacing the Haas drivers who were hoping for a better outcome. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc’s smooth lap secured him third place in Q2.
The qualifying session showcased the intense competition between Norris and Verstappen, with Norris ultimately claiming pole position. Verstappen’s one-run strategy on a fresh set of tires proved effective, as he set impressive lap times throughout the session.
As the stage is set for the U.S. Grand Prix, the battle between Norris and Verstappen promises an exciting showdown on race day. With Verstappen leading the championship and Norris securing pole position, fans can expect a thrilling race at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.