Verstappen Claims Pole in Austin, Ferrari Shows Strength, McLaren Under Pressure
Max Verstappen has once again secured pole position for the US Grand Prix, dominating every qualifying segment ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc, in a resurgent Ferrari, will start third, setting the stage for a dramatic race.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's strong qualifying performance suggests a potential shift in momentum, while McLaren faces a challenging race after a difficult Saturday. Verstappen's continued dominance in Austin could be crucial in the championship battle, especially with his track record of converting poles into wins here.
The Details:
- Verstappen's Dominance: The Red Bull driver was fastest in every qualifying segment, asserting his authority over the field.
- Ferrari's Resurgence: After a challenging Friday, Ferrari showed significant improvement, with Charles Leclerc starting third and Carlos Sainz fifth, hinting at strong race pace.
- McLaren's Struggles: Following a double retirement in the Sprint, both Lando Norris (P2) and Oscar Piastri (P6) struggled with balance and grip issues, putting pressure on the team to salvage points.
- Mercedes' Performance: George Russell put in a strong showing, qualifying fourth, while Kimi Antonelli secured seventh.
- Haas's Surprise: Oliver Bearman delivered a standout performance for Haas, qualifying eighth, marking the team's best grid position of the year and earning him the 'Best of the Rest' title.
- Hulkenberg Misses Q3: Nico Hulkenberg narrowly missed out on Q3, starting 11th, citing rear-axle issues on his final lap.
The Big Picture:
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has a history of unpredictable races, with the pole sitter not always winning due to the challenging Turn 1 outside line. However, Verstappen has defied this trend, winning from pole twice at COTA in recent years. His performance today solidifies his position as the man to beat.
What's next:
With Verstappen starting on pole and Ferrari showing renewed strength, the US Grand Prix promises an exciting battle. McLaren will be looking to recover from their qualifying difficulties and convert their grid positions into valuable championship points. The unique characteristics of COTA, combined with the varying fortunes of the top teams, mean that race strategy and tire management will be critical.
US Grand Prix 2025 Starting Grid:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Logan Sargeant (Williams)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Audi)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Audi)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Alexander Albon (Williams)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Original Article :https://f1-insider.com/formel-1-startaufstellung-usa-gp-austin-2025-71567/