Lando Norris saw off rival Max Verstappen to take pole position for the US Grand Prix and boost his F1 championship dream.
Verstappen claimed his first win in nearly four months when he led every lap of the sprint race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas earlier on Saturday to extend his title advantage from 52 to 54 points.
Norris finished third – after he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap – but he bounced back in qualifying to take spot, beating Verstappen by just 0.031 seconds.
Norris set the early pace in the shootout for pole, and then lucked-in when George Russell crashed out in his Mercedes at the penultimate corner.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX – LATEST UPDATES
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TOP-3: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen (Lap 38/56)
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OUT! Lewis Hamilton retires (Lap 3/56)
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START! Norris drops to fourth as Leclerc takes the lead
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George Russell started in the pit-lane after his crash in qualifying
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US GP PREVIEW: How Trump and Harris revealed F1’s true value
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Brilliant defence from Verstappen! (Lap 48/56)
21:26 , Kieran Jackson
Norris right on the gearbox of Verstappen after turn 12, but Verstappen puts his car in the perfect position to keep third place!
Meanwhile, at the front – Leclerc’s lead to Sainz has dropped to five seconds.
Top-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Noris, Piastri, Perez, Russell, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Colapinto
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen defending strongly from Lando Norris (Lap 46/56)
21:23 , Kieran Jackson
Norris right behind his F1 title rival now, it’s only 0.5 seconds between Norris and Verstappen – but the Red Bull is defending staunchly for the time being!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris within DRS range of Max Verstappen now (Lap 44/56)
21:19 , Kieran Jackson
Norris will be eyeing a move now on Verstappen – the McLaren is within a second of the Red Bull.
He’s too far back to make a move heading into turn 12 for now…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell pits (Lap 41/56)
21:15 , Kieran Jackson
Russell pits from sixth – and serves his five-second penalty – and the Mercedes comes out in eighth.
Norris now within two seconds of Verstappen – this should be interesting! Carlos Sainz sets a new fastest lap…
Top-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Noris, Piastri, Perez, Hulkenberg, Russell, Lawson, Gasly
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris showing good pace (Lap 37/56)
21:09 , Kieran Jackson
Lando is cutting the deficit to Max Verstappen here, it’s now 3.5 seconds. He should be catching him within 10 laps or so – and has now set the fastest lap.
Verstappen: “These tyres just aren’t good, I can’t attack, I can’t do anything”
Out in front, it’s a Ferrari one-two and Leclerc has a 6.9 second lead to Sainz at the front.
Top-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Colapinto, Perez, Magnussen, Hulkenberg
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 33/56)
21:02 , Kieran Jackson
Piastri does indeed come in – 2.6 seconds – and he rejoins the track behind Norris and just ahead of Russell, who is yet to pit.
Top-10: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Lawson, Colapinto, Perez, Magnussen
And so the race enters its next phase – how will the McLaren pace be on hard tyres?
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris pits (Lap 32/56)
20:59 , Kieran Jackson
Now is the time for Lando Norris!
He pits, 2.2 seconds, and has a good tyre delta until the end of the race.
Norris comes out in fifth, 5.8 seconds behind Verstappen. Meanwhile, Leclerc cruises past Piastri and retakes the lead of the race.
Only a matter of time until Piastri pits, you’d think…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris’ engineer… (Lap 30/56)
20:56 , Kieran Jackson
“For us, this is likely the Germany situation.”
We haven’t had a German race since 2019! Eh?!
Code words in use perhaps…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris stays out (Lap 29/56)
20:54 , Kieran Jackson
So, a reminder, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will have to pit at some point but currently, their lap times are still as good as Max Verstappen’s – who has fresh tyres!
Interesting.
Norris has a 4.9 second lead on Piastri…
Top-10: Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Russell, Lawson, Colapinto, Perez, Magnussen
Russell yet to pit too…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 27/56)
20:50 , Kieran Jackson
Race leader Leclerc comes in for his hard tyre compound – 2.5 second stop – and the Monegasque comes out behind the McLarens but ahead of Carlos Sainz.
Lando Norris takes the lead – but when will he come in to pit?!
McLaren have good pace still on the mediums.
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen pits (Lap 26/56)
20:49 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull have called it there.
A 2.7 second stop, hard tyres on – and Carlos Sainz comes out ahead of him in fourth.
Four seconds ahead, too.
Norris moves up to second…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen… (Lap 25/56)
20:48 , Kieran Jackson
“Left hand side tyres are really bad now.”
Are these frontrunners holding out for a one-stop?
Toto Wolff labels George Russell penalty ‘total joke’ in US Grand Prix
20:47 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff labelled a five-second penalty given to George Russell as a “total joke” in the early stages of the US Grand Prix.
Russell, who started in the pit-lane, was making his way through the field when he went for an overtake on Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas.
Toto Wolff labels George Russell penalty ‘total joke’ in US Grand Prix
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen does not pit (Lap 23/56)
20:46 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull opt not to respond to Ferrari and keep Verstappen – who has dropped 10 seconds behind Leclerc – out on track.
Leclerc: “Don’t leave me out for too long, I don’t want to be under pressure.”
Meanwhile, Norris being told to stay out with McLaren’s tyre degradation having been and gone… he’s currently in third.
4-10: Piastri, Sainz, Perez, Hulkenberg, Russell, Lawson, Colapinto
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz pits (Lap 22/56)
20:42 , Kieran Jackson
Ferrari blink first.
Sainz pits to hard tyres – solid sub three-second stop – as he looks to try the undercut on Verstappen.
Will Red Bull respond immediately?!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc builds lead (Lap 20/56)
20:41 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc has an 8.5 second lead to Verstappen, with Sainz just 1.5 seconds off Verstappen – will Ferrari go for the undercut on the Red Bull driver?
Norris, meanwhile, is 3.5 seconds off Sainz.
5-10: Piastri, Perez, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Russell, Alonso
The likes of Magnussen and Gasly have pitted – when will the frontrunners?!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell receives a five-second penalty (Lap 16/56)
20:32 , Kieran Jackson
Russell, down in P13, receives a five-second penalty for forcing another driver off-track.
That was on Valtteri Bottas at turn 12… bit harsh, if you ask me.
Russell’s response: “What?!”
Toto Wolff: “Total joke with the penalty George, total joke.”
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Leclerc’s lead is now 5.5 seconds (Lap 14/56)
20:30 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc and Ferrari’s pace? Top-class.
Verstappen’s engineer: “Have found an issue with a car this stint, hang on in there.
Interesting! Norris, however, has dropped 3.3 seconds behind Sainz – in no man’s land in fourth.
Top-10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Perez, Hulkenberg
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc has a healthy lead right now (Lap 10/56)
20:24 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc has a 3.5 second lead to Max Verstappen, who is 1.3 seconds clear of Carlos Sainz – so outside of DRS range.
4-10: Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Perez
Sainz and Ferrari seem to have found a solution to their issue with a switch change in the car!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz on team radio (Lap 9/56)
20:21 , Kieran Jackson
“No power on the exit for the corners, it’s costing me a lot. It smells like fuel.”
Problems for Sainz, who has dropped well off Verstappen!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz back on the tail of Max Verstappen (Lap 8/56)
20:20 , Kieran Jackson
Where has this Ferrari pace come from?!
While Leclerc is 1.3 seconds clear, Sainz is just 0.5 seconds behind Verstappen.
Yet Norris has dropped 1.4 seconds behind Sainz… McLaren losing ground to the top-three.
Top-10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Perez, Hulkenberg
George Russell, who started in the pit-lane, down in P16…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Safety car ends! (Lap 6/56)
20:15 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc tiptoes to turn 19 and then goes as we get racing again!
Tell you what, Max Verstappen is right on the tail of Charles Leclerc…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: McLaren boss Zak Brown…
20:14 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s the penalty Oscar got yesterday – it was either make way or there’s a collision. Lando had to make way. We’ll keep racing.”
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Safety car! (Lap 5/56)
20:12 , Kieran Jackson
Nobody pitting as of yet, as the cars go around behind the safety car for the first time since Canada in June!
Norris: “He clearly pushed me out, he [Verstappen] had no intention of making the corner. He overtook me by going in so hard on the track, like Budapest – identical.”
I don’t think that’ll land with the stewards – but we’ll see!
Top-10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Perez, Alonso
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton is OUT! (Lap 2/56)
20:09 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton, who shot up from 17th to 12th, is beeched in the gravel at turn 20!
And he’s out in the race!
SAFETY CAR!
Will anyone pit?
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz right on Max Verstappen’s tail (Lap 3/56)
20:08 , Kieran Jackson
Sainz is right on the gearbox of Verstappen, and has DRS on the Red Bull!
Leclerc has a 1.1 second lead…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc leads!
20:05 , Kieran Jackson
It’s lights out and it’s a dream start for Ferrari!
Leclerc takes the lead as Norris fails to cover Verstappen down the inside – and Leclerc takes the lead!
Verstappen 2nd, Sainz 3rd, Norris 4th.
A nightmare start for Norris!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Formation lap!
20:01 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris leads the other 18 cars on track away for the formation lap.
Every car down to Lance Stroll in 13th is on the medium tyre, it’s likely to be a two-stop strategy today given the heat and the 58 laps to follow.
So, can Norris keep the lead at turn 1? We’re about to find out!
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton…
19:59 , Kieran Jackson
“Damn, this is far back.”
Hamilton all the way back in P17…
A reminder of the starting grid for the US Grand Prix:
19:58 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. Pierre Gasly
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Sergio Perez
10. Yuki Tsunoda
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Esteban Ocon
13. Lance Stroll
14. Alex Albon
15. Franco Colapinto
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Lewis Hamilton
18. Zhou Guanyu
19. Liam Lawson*
Pit lane. George Russell**
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
**Russell starts in the pit lane after making changes to his car after his crash in qualifying
F1 US Grand Prix: Five minutes from lights out in Austin!
19:55 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then!
Lando Norris starts on pole with Max Verstappen – his title rival – alongside him. Can Lando keep the lead coming out of turn 1, going up the hill from the start line?
And what about the Ferraris in third and fourth?!
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, speaking on the grid:
19:53 , Kieran Jackson
“This is a tricky turn one, you have four or five cars which funnel to one apex. We need a good launch, the Ferraris will be tough and Max is always tough.”
Max Verstappen, speaking on his way to the grid:
19:50 , Kieran Jackson
“The last few races we’ve been struggling on race-pace. The sprint seems it’s a lot better, let’s see on full fuel if it’s the same.
“Normally if you’re quick in a sprint, it should normally replicate well to the main race. We have to be a little bit wary, but I’m hopeful.”
Time for the National Anthem of the United States of America!
19:46 , Kieran Jackson
The Star-Spangled Banner plays out at the Circuit of the Americas!
Performed by the University of Texas Longhorn Singers..
Lando Norris, speaking on the grid:
19:44 , Kieran Jackson
Is your car racy? “We’ll find out in 10 minutes!”
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, speaking on the grid:
19:40 , Kieran Jackson
“The car likes this track. It’s great to be this competitive at our home race.
“Every race you do in Formula 1 is a gift, not difficult to enjoy.”
Magnussen starts P8 today.
Fernando Alonso, speaking on the grid:
19:37 , Kieran Jackson
“A little bit of combination of things, yellow flags. All in all we start seventh, but we’re not the seventh-fastest so it will be a tough race.”
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: McLaren’s Lando Norris, ahead of today’s race…
19:33 , Kieran Jackson
“Strategy and tyre management is going to be a big thing today. In some ways drive quicker but in a better way for the tyres.
“We’ve prepared well, yesterday’s race was not bad but just not as good as the Ferraris. I’ve gone through my data, we’ve reviewed things. We have pit stops and things like that to use for our advantage.”
Driver Standings ahead of the US Grand Prix:
19:30 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is now 54 points…
1. Max Verstappen – 339 points
2. Lando Norris – 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
7. George Russell – 159 points
8. Sergio Perez – 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg – 25 points
11. Lance Stroll – 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Alex Albon – 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto – 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Martin Brundle on McLaren’s team orders squabble:
19:22 , Kieran Jackson
“Rubens Barichello and Felipe Massa got put into a No 2 position which psychologically they never recovered from, you don’t want to do that Oscar Piastri.
They’re in between a rock and a hard place, but they have left points out there on the table.”
Constructors’ Championship ahead of US Grand Prix:
19:15 , Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren – 522 points
2. Red Bull – 483 points
3. Ferrari – 453 points
4. Mercedes – 336 points
5. Aston Martin – 86 points
6. RB – 34 points
7. Haas – 34 points
8. Williams – 16 points
9. Alpine – 13 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
US GP PREVIEW: How Donald Trump and Kamala Harris revealed F1’s true value as US presidential race nears finish line
19:08 , Kieran Jackson
For a sport which struggled for the best part of 70 years to find a home across the Atlantic, Formula One’s presence in the United States has reached unprecedented heights this year. And that’s not just a nod to the three US races, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, nor to the boom in popularity stateside – a result of Liberty Media’s 2017 takeover and Netflix’s Drive to Survive fever.
Rather it has been, ahead of the highly charged US presidential election on 5 November, the surprising arena for the two nominees to appear, promote and present themselves in a unique and increasingly attractive way to the electorate.
Full piece below:
How Trump and Harris revealed F1’s true value amid US presidential race
CONFIRMED: Lewis Hamilton will NOT start from the pit-lane
18:56 , Kieran Jackson
His Mercedes teammate does but Hamilton will start on the grid, in 17th place.
A reminder of the starting grid for the US Grand Prix:
18:55 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. Pierre Gasly
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Sergio Perez
10. Yuki Tsunoda
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Esteban Ocon
13. Lance Stroll
14. Alex Albon
15. Franco Colapinto
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Lewis Hamilton
18. Zhou Guanyu
19. Liam Lawson*
Pit lane. George Russell**
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
**Russell starts in the pit lane after making changes to his car after his crash in qualifying
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Drivers Parade in Austin!
18:50 , Kieran Jackson
Just the 12 world titles between these three…
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Among the stars out in Austin are Joe Rogan and Dina Asher-Smith!
18:31 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
18:13 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle believes there is “no smoking gun” for Red Bull as their ‘bib’ device saga continues at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
Full quotes below:
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris after claiming pole…
17:51 , Kieran Jackson
“It was one of the best laps I’ve done in qualifying ever.
“Clearly we don’t still have the pace compared to Red Bull but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
“I can’t get close to Max in turn 5, 6, 7. Ferrari extremely good in slow-speed. We’re just good and good. We’re just there everywhere, it’s not been quite good enough.”
F1 US Grand Prix: NEW – George Russell starts from the pit-lane
17:16 , Kieran Jackson
Russell – who qualified P6 – will start from the pit-lane after his crash at the end of qualifying, due to changes to his car.
What is the starting grid for the US Grand Prix?
17:00 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. Pierre Gasly
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Sergio Perez
10. Yuki Tsunoda
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Esteban Ocon
13. Lance Stroll
14. Alex Albon
15. Franco Colapinto
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Lewis Hamilton
18. Zhou Guanyu
19. Liam Lawson*
Pit lane. George Russell**
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
**Russell starts in the pit lane after making changes to his car after his crash in qualifying
A look back at a nightmare Saturday for Lewis Hamilton…
16:00 , Kieran Jackson
Driver Standings after US GP sprint
15:00 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is now 54 points…
1. Max Verstappen – 339 points
2. Lando Norris – 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
7. George Russell – 159 points
8. Sergio Perez – 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg – 25 points
11. Lance Stroll – 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Alex Albon – 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto – 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
US GP PREVIEW: How Donald Trump and Kamala Harris revealed F1’s true value as US presidential race nears finish line
14:00 , Kieran Jackson
For a sport which struggled for the best part of 70 years to find a home across the Atlantic, Formula One’s presence in the United States has reached unprecedented heights this year. And that’s not just a nod to the three US races, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, nor to the boom in popularity stateside – a result of Liberty Media’s 2017 takeover and Netflix’s Drive to Survive fever.
Rather it has been, ahead of the highly charged US presidential election on 5 November, the surprising arena for the two nominees to appear, promote and present themselves in a unique and increasingly attractive way to the electorate.
Full piece below:
How Trump and Harris revealed F1’s true value amid US presidential race
QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
13:00 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris saw off rival Max Verstappen to take pole position for the US Grand Prix and boost his championship dream.
Verstappen claimed his first win in nearly four months when he led every lap of the sprint race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas earlier on Saturday to extend his title advantage from 52 to 54 points.
Norris finished third – after he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap – but he bounced back in qualifying to take spot, beating Verstappen by just 0.031 seconds.
Full report below:
Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
F1 makes shock fastest lap rule change for 2025 season
12:00 , Kieran Jackson
The FIA, F1’s governing body, have decided to remove the bonus point available for setting the fastest lap for the 2025 season onwards.
The extra point, given to the driver who sets the fastest lap in Sunday’s grand prix (if he finishes in the top-10), was introduced in 2019.
It often results in drivers pitting late in the race for an extra point, particularly if it doesn’t impact their position in the top-10.
Full story below:
F1 makes shock rule change for 2025 season
Constructors’ Championship after US GP sprint
11:00 , Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren – 522 points
2. Red Bull – 483 points
3. Ferrari – 453 points
4. Mercedes – 336 points
5. Aston Martin – 86 points
6. RB – 34 points
7. Haas – 34 points
8. Williams – 16 points
9. Alpine – 13 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
What is the starting grid for the US Grand Prix?
10:00 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Sergio Perez
11. Yuki Tsunoda
12. Nico Hulkenberg
13. Esteban Ocon
14. Lance Stroll
15. Alex Albon
16. Franco Colapinto
17. Valtteri Bottas
18. Lewis Hamilton
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Liam Lawson*
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
Lando Norris after claiming pole:
09:00 , Kieran Jackson
“It was one of the best laps I’ve done in qualifying ever.
“Clearly we don’t still have the pace compared to Red Bull but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
“I can’t get close to Max in turn 5, 6, 7. Ferrari extremely good in slow-speed. We’re just good and good. We’re just there everywhere, it’s not been quite good enough.”
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
08:00 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle believes there is “no smoking gun” for Red Bull as their ‘bib’ device saga continues at the US Grand Prix in Austin on Friday.
Full quotes below:
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
Driver Standings ahead of the US Grand Prix:
07:00 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is now 54 points…
1. Max Verstappen – 339 points
2. Lando Norris – 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
7. George Russell – 159 points
8. Sergio Perez – 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg – 25 points
11. Lance Stroll – 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Alex Albon – 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto – 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
06:00 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits his team “need answers” to their driver line-up dilemma as the pressure grows on Sergio Perez.
Mexican driver Perez trails teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen by 187 points after 18 races this year and has not won a grand prix since April 2023.
Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 – with an option to extend for 2026 – but Liam Lawson’s promotion to sister team RB for this weekend’s US Grand Prix indicates that Red Bull are assessing their options ahead of next year.
Having relinquished their spot at the top of the constructors’ standings to McLaren, Red Bull boss Horner acknowledges that his team “can’t afford a big gap” between Verstappen and his team-mate next year.
Full quotes below:
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
Lewis Hamilton reacts to Red Bull ‘bib’ saga
05:00 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has reacted to Red Bull’s controversial device that alters the height of its front bib ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
“I’ve only just heard about it before I got here,” he told Sky Sports. “But I think the name of our sport is all about innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they’ve innovated.
“Ultimately all the teams look at the rules and try to find how to massage those rules and get the most out of it, even if it’s just over the edge a little bit. You just need to continue to evolve and be better policed.”
QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
04:00 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris saw off rival Max Verstappen to take pole position for the US Grand Prix and boost his championship dream.
Verstappen claimed his first win in nearly four months when he led every lap of the sprint race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas earlier on Saturday to extend his title advantage from 52 to 54 points.
Norris finished third – after he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap – but he bounced back in qualifying to take spot, beating Verstappen by just 0.031 seconds.
Full report below:
Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
F1 US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying P19…
03:00 , Kieran Jackson
“In the sprint, we had some sort of failure on the front suspension. It made the balance really difficult.
“The car was a nightmare in qualifying. We should start in the pit-lane, otherwise we won’t be going anywhere.
“It was a very inconsistent balance and no grip.”
F1 US Grand Prix: Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur…
02:45 , Kieran Jackson
“We’ll have to do a good job, Max and Lando are quick from the beginning. Tomorrow will be another story.
“It’s always good to have two cars [up there].”
F1 US Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc, who starts P4…
02:23 , Kieran Jackson
“The first sector is where we’ve been struggling and we don’t have the solution. However, the race-pace felt particularly strong.
“We have a strong car. I hope that we’ll see the same type of race-pace tomorrow.”
F1 US Grand Prix: George Russell after his crash
01:45 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a really good lap up until turn 12, lost a bit at turn 12, lost loads of lap time. I went into the penultimate corner, turned in and it went in on me.
“Maybe I was over-pushing, pretty disappointed with the damage to the car. Today we were nowhere.
“It seems such a theme at the moment, when we find a sweet-spot we can get poles and wins, but when we can’t we’re nowhere. It’s really disappointing from my side for the outcome.”
Russell starts P6 tomorrow…
F1 US Grand Prix: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella…
01:20 , Kieran Jackson
“The first lap was pretty much perfect. I saw Verstappen was on a fast lap, it could have been a problem – the yellow flag might have helped us. Overall, it’s encouraging that we’ve improved the car, some tuning to the setup. Lando and Oscar have been able to put it all together.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to reduce the tyre degradation.”
What is the starting grid for the US Grand Prix?
01:00 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Sergio Perez
11. Yuki Tsunoda
12. Nico Hulkenberg
13. Esteban Ocon
14. Lance Stroll
15. Alex Albon
16. Franco Colapinto
17. Valtteri Bottas
18. Lewis Hamilton
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Liam Lawson*
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
What time is the US Grand Prix?
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:56 , Kieran Jackson
Time BST
Sunday 20 October
-
Race: 8pm (2pm local)
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris after qualifying on pole!
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:40 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a beautiful lap, I was not going to do much quicker than what I did. When you do a lap and you think ‘it will be tough to beat that.’ We’ve been on the back foot all weekend so I had to do something, today I did – a cool lap and a nice way to start the race tomorrow.
“This is one of the tracks where you’re like ‘damn this is fast.’ It puts a smile on your face. Ending quickest puts a smile on your face too. We changed quite a bit, we made the improvements. I was lucky and I’ll take it.
“I’ll do my homework, we’ve made some changes, time will tell. We’ll work hard, box number one ticked but tomorrow will be a tough race.”
F1 US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz after qualifying third…
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:25 , Kieran Jackson
“The target was to do a step in qualifying, yesterday P5 and today P3. Bit gutted for that last lap, I was three-tenths up. Easy to say now, some good progress.
“We should be in the fight tomorrow.
F1 US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen after qualifying second…
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:13 , Kieran Jackson
“That’s how it goes, we’re still on the front row.
“We made some changes on the car, hopefully that’ll be nice tomorrow.”
TOP-10 FOR THE US GRAND PRIX:
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:13 , Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Sergio Perez
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris on pole position!
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:04 , Kieran Jackson
What drama!
Max Verstappen was way up on Lando Norris’ time, too, but was forced to slow down in the final sector due to double-waved yellow flags!
Russell’s crash was at the penultimate turn and he just lost the car, skidding into the wall. All OK, thankfully.
But Norris takes the slice of luck! It’s Verstappen and Carlos Sainz behind him.
F1 US Grand Prix: George Russell crashes!
Sunday 20 October 2024 00:01 , Kieran Jackson
Oh no!
George Russell crashes in sector three – with a big hit into the wall! He says he’s OK.
That’s it for qualifying then, with Lando Norris on pole!
F1 US Grand Prix: Final flying laps coming up!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:58 , Kieran Jackson
Moment of truth now. Can Max Verstappen go quicker?
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris on provisional pole!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:55 , Kieran Jackson
Wow! What a first lap from Lando Norris!
He’s on provisional pole with a 1:32:330 – 0.031 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen!
Carlos Sainz is third, three-tenths off, with Charles Leclerc in fourth.
5-10: Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Magnussen, Alonso (no time)
Gauntlet well and truly thrown down for Verstappen! They will all have another go – 5:00 to go in Q3…
F1 US Grand Prix: Q3 underway!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:51 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then!
10 drivers involved: Norris, Piastri, Russell, Magnussen, Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Gasly, Alonso
Is it Verstappen’s pole to lose?
F1 US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying P19…
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:47 , Kieran Jackson
“In the sprint, we had some sort of failure on the front suspension. It made the balance really difficult.
“The car was a nightmare in qualifying. We should start in the pit-lane, otherwise we won’t be going anywhere.
“It was a very inconsistent balance and no grip.”
F1 US Grand Prix: Yuki Tsunoda is out!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:43 , Kieran Jackson
Tsunoda knocked out right at the end by Fernando Alonso!
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Stroll, Lawson
So credit to Galy, Alonso and Magnussen for getting through!
Top-3: Verstappen, Sainz, Norris
Now time for the top-10 shootout!
F1 US Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc is safe!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:39 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc puts in a clean lap and is up to third, as Verstappen goes fastest.
Final laps coming in now…
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris fastest but on new tyres
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:36 , Kieran Jackson
Norris goes to the top with a 1:32:851, two-tenths quicker than his title rival in second but Verstappen was on used tyres.
Doesn’t bode great.
Meanwhile, down in P14 is Charles Leclerc!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ocon, Alonso, Stroll, Leclerc, Lawson
5:00 to go in Q2…
F1 US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen quickest early on
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:33 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen goes quickest, with Gasly second and Sainz third.
And Lawson isn’t going to set a time, incidentally.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ocon, Alonso, Stroll, Leclerc, Lawson
8:00 to go…
F1 US Grand Prix: Q2 underway!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:26 , Kieran Jackson
Well, after the shock of Q1, what will Q2 bring?!
Liam Lawson, incidentally, may well not take part in this given his engine penalty – and he’ll start at the back of the grid.
F1 US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton out in Q1!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:19 , Kieran Jackson
What a nightmare for Lewis Hamilton – he has not made it through! What a shock!
The seven-time world champion only P19, by 0.121 seconds to Lance Stroll, yet his team-mate George Russell went P3!
A mistake at turn 12, I believe, for Lewis. Oh jeez…
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Albon, Colapinto, Bottas, Hamilton, Zhou
F1 US Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc quickest with 5 to go!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:15 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc now top with a 1:33:241… but it’s the bottom where it’s interesting.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Bottas, Russell, Hamilton, Zhou, Tsunoda
Russell and Hamilton, a reminder, yet to set a lap on fresh soft tyres. They’ll only have one chance each here…
3:00 to go in Q1.
F1 US Grand Prix: Mercedes slow early on!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:11 , Kieran Jackson
Both Russell and Hamilton are nowhere on the leaderboard (well, towards the bottom!) but they’re both on used soft tyres – so they should speed up later in the session.
Pierre Gasly now quickest, with Max Verstappen second and Nico Hulkenberg third.
8:00 to go. A few cars still yet to set a lap in Q1.
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris quickest early on
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:08 , Kieran Jackson
Norris sets an early quick time with a 1:34:029 – but still around half the field to set their first laps!
It’s busy on track now though, as they all ready themselves for their hot laps.
12:00 to go in Q1…
F1 US Grand Prix: Q1 underway!
Saturday 19 October 2024 23:03 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the first stage of qualifying!
18 minutes and we’ll lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying…
F1 US Grand Prix: Norris vs Verstappen
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:57 , Kieran Jackson
Forget the sprint – this is the big one ahead of the grand prix tomorrow!
Can Norris get some revenge on Verstappen?
F1 US Grand Prix: Qualifying coming right up!
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:53 , Kieran Jackson
We’re under 10 minutes away from qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas!
Can McLaren find some form? How about Ferrari? Can Mercedes bring some pace to the party? Or is it Max Verstappen’s to lose?
Qualifying is right up at 11pm (BST)!
Driver Standings after US GP sprint
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:45 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is now 54 points…
1. Max Verstappen – 339 points
2. Lando Norris – 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
7. George Russell – 159 points
8. Sergio Perez – 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg – 25 points
11. Lance Stroll – 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Alex Albon – 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto – 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
US GP PREVIEW: How Donald Trump and Kamala Harris revealed F1’s true value as US presidential race nears finish line
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:35 , Kieran Jackson
For a sport which struggled for the best part of 70 years to find a home across the Atlantic, Formula One’s presence in the United States has reached unprecedented heights this year. And that’s not just a nod to the three US races, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, nor to the boom in popularity stateside – a result of Liberty Media’s 2017 takeover and Netflix’s Drive to Survive fever.
Rather it has been, ahead of the highly charged US presidential election on 5 November, the surprising arena for the two nominees to appear, promote and present themselves in a unique and increasingly attractive way to the electorate.
Full piece below:
How Trump and Harris revealed F1’s true value amid US presidential race
Sebastian Vettel announces racing return in ‘super team’ alongside axed F1 star
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:24 , Kieran Jackson
Sebastian Vettel will return to racing next year at the 2025 Race of Champions in Sydney, teaming up with compatriot and friend Mick Schumacher.
Four-time F1 world champion Vettel retired in 2022 after 16 seasons in the sport, where he raced for the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Yet next March at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Vettel will form a German ‘super team’ alongside Schumacher – son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher – in the ROC Nations Cup.
More below:
Sebastian Vettel announces racing return in ‘super team’ alongside axed F1 star
Christian Horner responds to Zak Brown’s claim that Red Bull ‘bib’ device saga ‘doesn’t stack up’
Saturday 19 October 2024 22:12 , Kieran Jackson
Asked by Sky F1 why the FIA still wanted to add seals to the bib adjuster, Horner replied: “I think there’s been a bit of moaning from one of our rivals.
“And it’s the FIA’s job to look into these things. It’s on a list of the open-source components, so it’s been publicly available for the last three years. The FIA are happy with it, I think, just to satisfy perhaps some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock.”
“I feel that it’s sometimes to distract from perhaps what’s going on in your own house, then sometimes you try to light a fire somewhere else?”
Constructors’ Championship after US GP sprint
Saturday 19 October 2024 21:59 , Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren – 522 points
2. Red Bull – 483 points
3. Ferrari – 453 points
4. Mercedes – 336 points
5. Aston Martin – 86 points
6. RB – 34 points
7. Haas – 34 points
8. Williams – 16 points
9. Alpine – 13 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton and F1 are desperate for Africa return – but these obstacles must be overcome
Saturday 19 October 2024 21:48 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One wants to return. Lewis Hamilton insists F1 cannot continue to ignore it. But after 31 years away, the sport still can’t thrash out a route back into the only viable continent (sorry Antarctica) it fails to race in: Africa.
It was 1993 the last time the “Mother Continent” hosted an F1 grand prix. That was at Kyalami, 20 miles north of Johannesburg, as Williams driver Alain Prost won the 27th version of the South African Grand Prix.
Rather obviously, it is difficult to claim the full veracity of the competition “Formula 1 World Championship” while a record 24-race calendar does not actually include the entire world and its continents.
But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made no secret of his desire to add an African race to the schedule, amid an opening set of talks with Rwandan officials last month.
However, is Rwanda the only option? South Africa has come close in recent years, too. And what are the major obstacles? The Independent takes a look at all the potential locations F1 could venture to in Africa.
Lewis Hamilton and F1 are desperate for Africa return – but these obstacles remain
A reminder of the start times for the remainder of the Austin weekend:
Saturday 19 October 2024 21:34 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 19 October
-
Qualifying: 11pm
Sunday 20 October
Driver Standings after US GP sprint
Saturday 19 October 2024 21:20 , Kieran Jackson
The gap between the top two is now 54 points…
1. Max Verstappen – 339 points
2. Lando Norris – 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
7. George Russell – 159 points
8. Sergio Perez – 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg – 25 points
11. Lance Stroll – 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Alex Albon – 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto – 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website
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