Formula 1 News: Verstappen wins pole for 2025 USGP

World Champion Max Verstappen (pictured), despite not being able to make a 2nd run for pole because of a team mistake, turned a lap of 1m32.510s in his Red Bull RB21 to win the pole for the 2025 USGP at COTA.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

It was Verstappen’s 7th pole of the year, more than any other driver. Verstappen also won the pole for today’s Sprint Race and then went on to win the Sprint.

“It was good. I think every segment, the car was very strong. It is very hot, very strong winds as well. We couldn’t do our last run, a very messy out-lap but luckily we didn’t need it,” said Verstappen.

McLaren driver Lando Norris could only manage the 2nd fastest time despite driving the superior #4 McLaren, 0.291s behind Verstappen.

“I improved by half a tenth, but it was a bit more of a struggle today for whatever reason as yesterday I was quite comfortable,” said Norris.  “We were both struggling today to put the laps in. I’m happy with P2 – it could have been worse, but there was no chance of pole today.”

That first lap by Verstappen was more than good enough to grab pole by nearly three tenths despite not getting that second lap in.

Charles Leclerc was third best in the #16 Ferrari, 0.297s behind Verstappen.

“It was quite a big surprise, considering the weekend that has been very difficult for us,” said a happy Leclerc. “I think there are things we still need to understand from our car, as there is too big a swing in performance in the same weekend when we fundamentally don’t change anything.

“Our car is normally stronger in the race than Qualifying, so that is a positive.”

George Russell put his Mercedes 4th on the grid, 0.316s behind Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top-5 in the second Ferrari, 0.402s behind Verstappen.

Point leader Oscar Piastri will line up only 6th, 0.57s behind Verstappen.

7th was Andrea Kimi Antonelli and an impressive Oliver Bearman in the upgraded Haas. Spaniards Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10.

Q1 was red flagged after three minutes for a big crash by Isack Hadjar in the Esses, losing the rear of his Racing Bulls car and spinning into the wall.

After a 10-minute delay to realign the barriers, the session was resumed for 13 minutes with no lap times on the clock.

If he wins Sunday Verstappen might completely turn the Championship battle on its head, Norris has a chance to close the gap; Ferrari is chasing a podium, Russell also wants more silverware while Hamilton is hunting a rostrum.

2025 USGP Qualifying Results