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United States GP - Qualifying

Updated: Jan 30

F1 cars on track with an overlay of the United States GP circuit outline.


Pirelli United States GP


Qualifying

October 19, 2024


AUSTIN — Lando Norris will start from pole position at the U.S. Grand Prix following a dramatic qualifying session that saw George Russell crash, cutting short the action just as Max Verstappen was on track to challenge for the fastest time.


Verstappen, who currently leads Norris by 54 points in the championship standings after his sprint race victory, was on a quicker lap when Russell’s crash at the penultimate corner brought out yellow flags, effectively ending the session. Norris clocked a lap just 0.031 seconds faster than Verstappen, ensuring he took pole when the session concluded.

In a moment of pure joy, Norris reacted to the news over team radio, exclaiming: "F---ing beautiful!" After the session, he described his lap as "a beautiful lap" and expressed confidence in his performance, saying, "I put everything out on the line... I did that, a cool lap and a nice way to start the race tomorrow."


Challenges Ahead


Despite his pole position, Norris faces a tough challenge on race day to convert this opportunity into a victory. He finished third in the sprint race earlier, which means he’ll need to fend off Verstappen to claim his fourth career win.


Verstappen reflected on his performance, noting, "In the first part of Q3, I lost a lot of time... I couldn't finish a lap; otherwise, we had a really good shot." He still remains optimistic about his potential, stating that if he had started on the front row, "the potential to be first was there."


Strong Performances from Ferrari


Carlos Sainz qualified in third place after a strong showing in the sprint race, where he passed Norris for second. Sainz expressed satisfaction with his progress, saying, "Yesterday we were P5, today we were P3, so we did a good step in the right direction." He acknowledged the missed opportunity for an even faster lap but remained focused on the race: "We should be in the fight tomorrow if we can get a good start."


Sainz’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, qualified just behind him, while Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, will start in fifth. George Russell, who crashed, will begin the race in sixth.


Hamilton’s Struggles and Russell's Confusion


Lewis Hamilton faced a disappointing qualifying session, failing to advance past Q1 and setting the 19th fastest time. He described the car as "a nightmare," citing balance issues and a lack of grip. After a suspension problem was discovered following Saturday's sprint race, Hamilton expressed his intention to start from the pit lane to adjust his setup before the race.


Russell, who reported he was okay after his crash, expressed his confusion about the car’s performance, saying, "I'm a little bit confused... The car didn't feel as put together." He noted the ongoing struggles of Mercedes to find consistency, highlighting that "when we find a sweet spot, we have a car that's capable of pole positions and race wins, but when we can't find that sweet spot, we are nowhere."


The Grid and What Lies Ahead


In addition to the top drivers, Yuki Tsunoda narrowly missed out on Q3, qualifying 11th. Williams drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto were eliminated in Q1, starting 15th and 16th, respectively. Zhou Guanyu from Sauber qualified 20th but will start 19th due to Lawson’s penalty.


As the teams prepare for the race, all eyes will be on Lando Norris to see if he can maintain his lead against the formidable Max Verstappen, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting U.S. Grand Prix. With both drivers in strong form, fans can expect a thrilling contest on race day!



United States GP 2024 Qualifying Result


Disqualified from Q1


  1. Alexander Albon, Williams (1:34.051)

  2. Franco Colapinto, Williams (1:34.062)

  3. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber (1:34.152)

  4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (1:34.154)

  5. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber (1:34.228)


Disqualified from Q2


  1. Yuki Tsunoda, RB (1:33.506)

  2.  Nico Hülkenberg, Haas (1:33.544)

  3. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (1:33.597)

  4. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (1:33.759)

  5. Liam Lawson (1:33.339)


Top 10 Qualifying from United States GP 2024


  1. Lando Norris, McLaren (1:32.330)

  2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:32.361)

  3. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (1:32.652)

  4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (1:32.740)

  5. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (1:32.950)

  6. George Russell, Mercedes (1:32.974)

  7. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (1:33.018)

  8.  Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:33.309)

  9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (1:33.481)

  10. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull (1:33.020)


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