Leclerc beats Norris, Hamilton to US GP pole, Verstappen only sixth

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Charles Leclerc takes pole position for the United States Grand Prix following a dramatic qualifying session that saw Max Verstappen end up sixth after his lap time was deleted Charles Leclerc takes pole position for the United States Grand Prix following a dramatic qualifying session that saw Max Verstappen end up sixth after his lap time was deleted Charles Leclerc beat Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to a thrilling United States Grand Prix pole as an error left world champion Max Verstappen starting from sixth. In a wide-open contest, Verstappen momentarily held pole position before he lost what was the fastest lap time of the session for exceeding track limits at the penultimate corner.With Verstappen's time deleted, Ferrari's Leclerc regained pole, edging out Norris and Hamilton by little more than a tenth of a second to seal his third pole position of the season - the most by any driver other than Verstappen. Hamilton will be disappointed at failing to produce his best lap at the key moment, but the seven-time world champion is set to have a rare chance of ending his near-two-year winless streak with Mercedes appearing to have benefitted from a final major upgrade of the season. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Verstappen was heard venting on the radio after losing grip from turbulent air caught behind team-mate Sergio Perez during Q3 of the United States Grand Prix Verstappen was heard venting on the radio after losing grip from turbulent air caught behind team-mate Sergio Perez during Q3 of the United States Grand Prix In contrast, Norris had not looked quite quick enough to be part of the pole battle, but delivered his best lap at the opportune moment to sneak ahead of Hamilton.Leclerc's Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz took fourth, while George Russell overcame a challenging session to take fifth for Mercedes.Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were seventh and eighth behind Verstappen, whose team-mate Sergio Perez was ninth ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ferrari's Leclerc was delighted after securing pole for Sunday's race Ferrari's Leclerc was delighted after securing pole for Sunday's race The result sets up an enticing race on Sunday, in which Verstappen will still be a major threat to claim a 15th victory of the season, which would equal the record he set last year.The Dutchman is chasing a host of historic marks having sealed his third successive drivers' title earlier this month in Qatar with five rounds of the season still remaining.First though will come Saturday's Sprint action, with the shortened qualifying session and race set to provide the enthusiastic Austin crowd with more entertainment in two contests that should be similarly open.Qatar GP Qualifying result 1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari2) Lando Norris, McLaren3) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari5) George Russell, Mercedes6) Max Verstappen, Red Bull7) Pierre Gasly, Alpine8) Esteban Ocon, Alpine9) Sergio Perez, Red Bull10) Oscar Piastri, McLaren United States GP Qualifying timesheet Driver Team Time 1. Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:34.723 2. Lando Norris McLaren +0.130 3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.139 4. Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.222 5. George Russell Mercedes +0.356 6. Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.358 7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.366 8. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.431 9. Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.450 10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.744 Out in Q2 11. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:35.697 12. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo 1:35.698 13. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo 1:35.858 14. Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:35.880 15. Daniel Ricciardo AlphaTauri 1:35.974 Out in Q1 16. Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:36.235 17. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:36.268 18. Alex Albon Williams 1:36.315 19. Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:36.589 20. Logan Sargeant Williams 1:36.827 When to watch the US GP and F1 Academy finale live only on Sky Sports F1Saturday October 21 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race One6pm: US GP Sprint Shootout build-up6:30pm: US GP Sprint Shootout9.15pm: F1 Academy Race Two10pm: US GP Sprint build-up11pm: US GP SPRINT (also on Sky Sports Main Event)(Sunday) 12.30am: Ted's Sprint NotebookSunday October 223.30pm: F1 Academy Race Three6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: US GP build-up8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX (also on Sky Sports Main Event)10pm: Chequered Flag: US GP reaction11pm: Ted's NotebookWatch Formula 1 return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW