The start of the F1 United States Grand Prix will be thrilling on Sunday (9 p.m.) in Austin (Texas), where Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will start from pole position, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), his race rival. to the title of world champion. “I'm going to try to get a good start, because there is an opportunity to be seized in the first corner, I will give the best of myself. My goal is to win the race, ”Hamilton has already warned. “I don't worry about what's going on behind it, I just have to focus on myself”, assures him the 24-year-old Dutchman, in search of a first crown. Verstappen dominates the drivers' standings, with six points ahead of the Englishman, already seven times crowned and who aims to overtake the German Michael Schumacher in the Pantheon of the most successful.
Nothing separates them before this 16th round of the championship which has 22. All the more so since neither of them eases off, as was clearly seen on Friday, during the 2nd free practice session.
Launched at full speed on the pit straight, Verstappen found himself almost wheel to wheel with Hamilton, who did not deviate and took the corner first.
Furious, the Dutchman then released a "kind of idiot" at the place of the Englishman, embellished with a tense middle finger.
Gasly 8th
The tension nonetheless subsided on Saturday.
Author of his 9th pole this season (the 12th of his career), Verstappen has beaten the pawn in Hamilton, who has become accustomed to reigning on the circuit of the Americas (3 poles, 5 wins) in recent years.
Imperial, the Red Bull driver was the fastest for two tenths of a second, also ahead, by a few hundredths, his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez, author of the third fastest time.
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who finished with the 5th fastest time, but will start in the second row, Valtteri Bottas having received a penalty.
Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) will start in 8th place, while the other Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) will be on the 6th row.