Verstappen steals Austin pole from Norris in dramatic sprint showdown

It wouldn’t be too much to ask for the rest of the season to look like Austin’s sprint qualifying – Max Verstappen stealing pole at the last second, toppling both McLarens and briefly breaking the papaya-colored monotony. The Spaniards played their part, too, with a strong showing in a top 10 that included all the expected names and no surprises. Hulkenberg (4th), Alonso (6th), Sainz (7th), and Albon (9th) all advanced through Q2, each ending the campaign in fine form.

Verstappen edged Lando Norris by just 0.071 seconds, while Oscar Piastri trailed by nearly four-tenths. The gaps were wide in Austin’s first qualifying session, run in cool conditions and with little time to gauge each car’s true pace. Now, Verstappen will chase a sprint win that carries more psychological weight than championship value, since the format offers limited points. Still, it could rattle McLaren’s fragile sense of harmony. Hulkenberg earned a well-deserved second-row start in his Sauber – a flash of inspiration from a veteran still capable of magic.

Spanish duel on the cards

Expect both Spaniards to fight for points on a track that suits Aston Martin and Williams in equal measure. Few would have predicted that a single thousandth of a second would separate Alonso and Sainz. They’ll line up side by side, driven by healthy rivalry. Silverstone’s team can no longer realistically target fifth in the constructors’ standings, and the financial bonus doesn’t always outweigh reduced wind-tunnel time. But Fernando and Carlos won’t give each other an inch – not when both are defending valuable points from the Ferraris lurking just behind, having barely scraped through Q2.

Antonelli missed out in 11th with his Mercedes – no shock at this stage of the 24-race calendar. His rookie season has been underwhelming, far off George Russell’s pace. Yet his manager, Toto, and team boss, Wolff, have agreed to renew him for another year. Beyond that, Friday at COTA was remarkably clean – no flags, no interruptions, a sprint shootout as smooth as it was swift. And Saturday promises drama, with the three title contenders certain to meet at turn one of this wide, multi-line circuit built for chaos and courage.

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