F1 2024 US Grand Prix Sprint Race starting grid with penalties a…

F1 2024 US Grand Prix Sprint Race starting grid with penalties a…read more

Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the 2024 US Grand Prix Sprint Race, showcasing his exceptional driving skills with a remarkable lap time of 1:32.833. This achievement sets him up for a potential fourth sprint victory of the season at the Circuit of the Americas, marking a strong comeback after facing some challenges earlier in the session.

Following closely behind Verstappen is George Russell from Mercedes, who fell just 0.012 seconds short of snatching pole. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured third place, clocking in 0.226 seconds slower than Verstappen, while Lando Norris from McLaren will start in fourth. Norris, currently Verstappen’s primary rival for the title, faces a tough task as he aims to overtake both Russell and Leclerc to contend for the race win.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will start from fifth, narrowly trailing his teammate Leclerc. Haas had a commendable qualifying session, with both of their drivers finishing in the top 10. Nico Hulkenberg achieved sixth place, outperforming Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will begin the race from seventh. Hulkenberg’s teammate, Kevin Magnussen, is positioned just behind Hamilton in eighth, providing Haas with a crucial advantage in their ongoing battle against VCARB in the Constructors’ Championship.

In ninth place, Yuki Tsunoda from VCARB continued to demonstrate his consistent form this season. Notably, rookie Franco Colapinto earned a standout result for Williams by qualifying 10th in his inaugural season, showcasing his potential on the track.

Further back in the grid, Sergio Perez from Red Bull encountered difficulties during the qualifying session, resulting in a disappointing 11th place finish. He will be joined on the sixth row by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in 12th and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in 13th. Fernando Alonso, also from Aston Martin, will start in 14th after a challenging qualifying effort.

Oscar Piastri faced significant setbacks for McLaren, having his lap time invalidated due to exceeding track limits at Turn 19 during SQ1. Consequently, Piastri will start the Sprint Race from 16th position, complicating McLaren’s prospects for the weekend. Meanwhile, Williams’ Alex Albon, along with Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, will round out the back of the grid.

The Sprint Race in Austin is scheduled to commence at 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 19, 2024. For fans across different time zones, the race will start at 8 p.m. CET, 7 p.m. BST, 2 p.m. EDT, and 11 a.m. PDT. As the drivers prepare for the race, anticipation builds for an exciting showdown at the front, with Verstappen looking to extend his dominance in the sprint races this season. The competition promises to be fierce, particularly for Norris, Russell, and Leclerc, as they strategize to challenge Verstappen’s lead in the quest for the podium. Fans are eagerly awaiting the action-packed event in Austin, which is sure to deliver thrilling moments and intense rivalries on the track.