In 2021, Formula 1 introduced sprints to the race weekend. This was to drive more fans into the sport and make the race weekends more competitive. With the addition of the sprint races, teams lost both free practice sessions 1 & 2 as they needed to make room for the sprint qualifying and then the actual sprint race. 2021 was also the first time that Max Verstappen won the World Drivers’ Championship (WDC) title.
The United States Grand Prix weekend has two races; a sprint and feature. On Friday night during the sprint qualifying, Max Verstappen managed to snag pole position. He will be starting first on the grid for Saturday’s Sprint.
With him in the top five are: George Russel (2), Charles Leclerc (3), Lando Norris (4), and rounding out the top five is Carlos Sainz (5).
Fun fact: Carlos Sainz has started and placed 5th in every sprint so far this season.
Max Verstappen delivers under pressure
Red Bull Racing has had less than optimal results this year. After the pure domination from the 2023 season, it came as a shock when they started struggling. First, it was 2nd driver Sergio Perez and then Max Verstappen started having issues. With Verstappen finally back up in the top row, are the issues finally over?
Sprint Qualifying has been completed!
Verstappen is back on top with plenty of teams in the mix!
Here is the complete classification:#F1 #AustinGP #UnitedStatesGP pic.twitter.com/KEo88R7zg8
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 18, 2024
Max Verstappen has finally put himself back on pole. Narrowly beating Mercedes’ George Russel by 0.012 seconds. It has been 81 days since Verstappen was last on pole, at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen is feeling the heat on him as Lando Norris continues to close the gap in the race for the World Drivers’ Championship title. Despite all that pressure and limited results from his teammate Perez, Verstappen has not buckled under the pressure.
Red Bull looking at a potentially positive United States Grand Prix
With Max Verstappen on pole again, the chances of him winning the sprint is high. Even if he does not pull off an exact win, all he needs to do is place second (if Norris is placing first). With Norris starting in 4th and only 19 laps to race, the chances are looking good for Verstappen. The upgrades that Red Bull brought are working in their favor.
Verstappen charges to pole!!
He’ll start P1 for tomorrow’s Sprint Race!#F1 #AustinGP #UnitedStatesGP pic.twitter.com/ScCx93mxSw
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 18, 2024
For Norris and McLaren, the same cannot be said. McLaren brought six upgrades to the United States GP compared to Red Bull’s two. As of right now, it looks like Red Bull made the smarter decision. With only one practice session, they were able to test the parts out quickly and get them fixed. As Verstappen is on the pole for the sprint (with 8 points up for grabs), the minimal approach taken by Red Bull seems to be working.
