Max Verstappen celebrating sprint pole - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen takes third straight Austin sprint pole: 'A very good day'

00:54, 18 Oct

byOlly Darcy

Max Verstappen said his sprint pole position capped off "a very good day" at the United States Grand Prix as he prepares for a "tough battle" on Saturday.

"I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow in the Sprint, but that’s I think exactly what we want to see. I’m excited for tomorrow"

The Dutchman pipped Lando Norris by +0.072, meaning he will start Saturday's sprint race P1 ahead of the Brit, with championship leader Oscar Piastri back in P3.

Verstappen's P1 marked a third consecutive sprint pole position around the Circuit of The Americas, with the four-time world champion continuing his fine form towards the end of the season.

Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"It’s been a nice qualifying," the Dutchman said in Parc Ferme after sealing a third consecutive sprint pole position in Austin.

"Throughout all the segments, we were quite close, just about trying to put it all together when it matters at the end, which is not easy because you go to the soft compound with no reference really.

"It worked out well, but I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow in the Sprint, but that’s I think exactly what we want to see. I’m excited for tomorrow and happy with today."

Verstappen defies conditions in Austin

Wind whipped through the Circuit of The Americas throughout the session, giving the drivers something else to think about, along with the bumpy nature of the track.

"The wind was coming up and down, very gusty. The track is very bumpy as well, so the cars can easily step out on you at high speed. In a qualifying like that, you have to leave a few margins here and there, but for us this has been a very good day."

However, that was defied by Verstappen as he now looks towards Saturday's sprint race and what strategy will be used: "Just to try to have a good start. It’s a wide turn one as well, and then I hope that we have good pace in the race, but we’ll find out tomorrow."

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