2025 United States Grand Prix: Qualifying Results from COTA

The 2025 United States Grand Prix qualifying session at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) was marked by early drama and intense competition, following a thrilling Sprint race. While Max Verstappen extended his championship lead with a Sprint victory, qualifying brought its own set of challenges, including a red flag incident and tight battles for grid positions.

Why it matters:

Qualifying at COTA is crucial for setting up a strong race on Sunday, especially given the circuit's mix of high-speed sections and technical corners. With the championship battle heating up, every grid position can make a significant difference, influencing race strategy and the potential for points. The incident involving the McLarens in the Sprint further emphasizes the high stakes and competitive pressure.

The Details:

• Sprint Race Aftermath: Max Verstappen secured eight additional points, narrowing the gap to Oscar Piastri in the championship. The Sprint also saw a collision between McLaren teammates Piastri and Lando Norris, aided by Nico Hulkenberg, leading to both McLarens being eliminated.
• Q1 Early Red Flag: Just minutes into Q1, Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) crashed heavily into the Turn 6 barriers, prompting a red flag. Hadjar was fortunately unhurt, but his car sustained significant damage, ending his qualifying session.
  • Emotional Reaction: Hadjar expressed visible frustration, kicking an advertising board, highlighting the intensity and pressure on drivers.
• Q1 Standings Pre-Final Runs: Before the final runs, Charles Leclerc held P1, followed by Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Drivers like Lance Stroll, Franco Colapinto, Alex Albon, and Gabriel Bortoleto were in the danger zone, needing improved times to advance.
• Verstappen Dominates Q1: Max Verstappen ultimately topped Q1, demonstrating strong pace. George Russell was close behind, securing P2.
• Drivers Eliminated in Q1: Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, and Alexander Albon were eliminated, joining Hadjar. Notably, both Stroll and Albon had their crucial lap times deleted due to track limits infringements, underscoring the strict enforcement of circuit boundaries.

Q1 Results:

1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:33.207
2. George Russell Mercedes +0.104
3. Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.294
4. Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.318
5. Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +0.342
6. Nico Hulkenberg Kick Sauber +0.344
7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.392
8. Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.478
9. Carlos Sainz Williams +0.532
10. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.534
11. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.539
12. Lando Norris McLaren +0.636
13. Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team +0.714
14. Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing +0.728
15. Franco Colapinto Alpine +0.832
16. Gabriel Bortoleto Kick Sauber +0.918
17. Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team +0.929
18. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.333
19. Alexander Albon Williams +1.483
20. Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls NO TIME

What's next:

The qualifying session promises further excitement as drivers battle through Q2 and Q3 to determine the final grid for Sunday's main race. With several strong contenders showing pace and the championship stakes high, the remaining sessions will be critical in shaping the outcome of the 2025 United States Grand Prix. The performance of key drivers and the ability of teams to avoid mistakes, particularly regarding track limits, will be under intense scrutiny.