Austin, Texas, October 19, 2025
News Summary
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the U.S. Grand Prix with a lap time of 1:32.510, showcasing his dominance in the Formula 1 season. Lando Norris followed in second, while Charles Leclerc finished in third, only 0.006 seconds behind. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, qualified sixth and struggled throughout the session. A red flag during Q1 followed a severe crash involving Isack Hadjar. As the race approaches, Verstappen aims to extend his lead amidst fierce competition.
Austin, Texas – Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the U.S. Grand Prix with an impressive lap time of 1:32.510, continuing to assert his dominance in the 2023 Formula 1 season. Lando Norris from McLaren secured second place, finishing 0.291 seconds behind Verstappen, while Charles Leclerc from Ferrari closely followed in third, merely 0.006 seconds behind Norris.
In a disappointing turn for championship leader Oscar Piastri, who struggled during the qualifying session, he managed to qualify in sixth place, resulting in a time that was half a second off Verstappen’s pole. Current standings show Verstappen leading the championship with Piastri trailing significantly behind, 55 points off the leader and 33 points behind Norris.
This qualifying session was marked by a dramatic moment when a red flag was displayed due to a serious crash involving Isack Hadjar early in Q1. Consequently, Hadjar will start from the back of the grid after the incident.
Verstappen’s latest performance adds to his collection of 47 career poles, with seven of those achieved this year alone. Notably, he has consistently outperformed both McLaren drivers in the last three races, showcasing his commanding presence on the track.
Interestingly, Red Bull chose not to send Verstappen out for a final attempt during the session, as his initial lap time proved to be sufficient for pole position. Verstappen commented on his strong performance, noting the additional challenges posed by heat and strong winds throughout the session.
Norris expressed a degree of satisfaction with his second-place finish but acknowledged the difficulty in matching Verstappen’s pace. Positioned behind them, George Russell from Mercedes qualified in fourth place, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton claimed fifth. Rounding out the top ten qualifiers were Kimi Antonelli in seventh place, Oliver Bearman from Haas in eighth, Carlos Sainz in ninth, and Fernando Alonso taking the last spot in the top ten.
It’s worth mentioning that both McLaren drivers faced challenges during the qualifying session due to issues stemming from repairs after a collision in the earlier sprint race of the day. As the teams prepare for the race, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he aims to extend his championship lead amidst a competitive field.
Key Qualifying Results
- 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:32.510
- 2nd: Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.291 seconds
- 3rd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.297 seconds
- 4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5th: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 6th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.500 seconds
- 7th: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 8th: Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- 9th: Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 10th: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Upcoming Race
The U.S. Grand Prix promises to be an exciting competition as drivers prepare for the race, with Verstappen looking to enhance his championship standing and Piastri aiming to regain momentum.
FAQ
- Who claimed pole position for the U.S. Grand Prix? Max Verstappen secured pole position with a lap time of 1:32.510.
- What position did Oscar Piastri qualify in? Oscar Piastri struggled, qualifying in sixth place, half a second off the pole time.
- How many career poles has Max Verstappen claimed? Verstappen has now claimed 47 career poles, with seven this year.
- What incident occurred during the qualifying session? The qualifying session featured one red flag due to a heavy crash by Isack Hadjar at the start of Q1.
- What was the gap between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen? Lando Norris qualified in second, 0.291 seconds behind Verstappen.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner of Pole Position | Max Verstappen |
| Lap Time | 1:32.510 |
| Runner Up | Lando Norris |
| Gap to 1st | 0.291 seconds |
| Key Incident | Crash by Isack Hadjar |
| Piastri’s Position | 6th place |
| Points Behind Leader | 55 points |
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Additional Resources
- Formula 1
- Wikipedia: Formula One
- Sky Sports
- Google Search: Max Verstappen Formula 1
- ESPN
- Google Scholar: Max Verstappen Qualifying
- Reuters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lando Norris
- BBC Sport
- Google News: US Grand Prix
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
