Verstappen secures pole for United States GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen will start from P1 for Sunday's United States Grand Prix after posting the fastest time during Saturday's qualifying at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Verstappen captured his Formula 1-leading seventh pole of the 2025 season.

"It was good," Verstappen said after qualifying, according to Nate Saunders of ESPN. "I think in every segment the car was very strong. Just trying to put the lap together around here sometimes can be quite tricky. Also, it's very hot, very strong winds as well. And then in that first sector, having tailwind is challenging.

Verstappen recorded the fastest lap despite Red Bull being unable to get him out for his final attempt of the session.

"The first one (lap) in Q3 was good," the 28-year-old added. "Just managed to improve a little bit from Q2. Unfortunately, then I couldn't do my final run. Was a bit messy with the out laps, but luckily ... we didn't need it. So, for us again, very strong result."

The four-time reigning world champion overtook Ayrton Senna for the third-most poles with a single constructor (47) in F1 history. Only Michael Schumacher (58) and Lewis Hamilton (78) have more.

Verstappen also won the sprint race earlier in the day, which earned him eight points in the drivers' standings, as he tries to catch the front-running McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.