Max to start US GP from P2: 'Q3 was not good'

Published on 25 October 2026 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen will start the United States Grand Prix from second place on the grid. In an exciting qualifying session for Sunday’s race at the Circuit of the Americas, Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position in his Mercedes, while Max’s Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate, Isack Hadjar, secured an impressive third place. The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the top five.

“Q3 was not good,” Max reflects after qualifying. “Q1 and Q2 were good, but for whatever reason, I didn’t have a good balance on either set of tyres in Q3. There were no mistakes, but I just didn’t have any grip and started to slide a lot. In the final lap, you could see that it wasn’t going to work with the tailwind. You try to push a bit more and hit a kerb the wrong way, and the car starts bouncing like a kangaroo. So I’m not really happy with Q3, but it’s still P2, and I’ll take that.”

The sun is shining in Austin ahead of Q1, with temperatures reaching a pleasant 29 degrees Celsius. No rain is expected. When the pit-lane light turns green for the start of Q1, both Cadillacs are the first to head out. Among the leading teams, Ferrari is also quick to take to the track. Mercedes, along with Oscar Piastri, starts the session on medium tyres. Once most of the drivers have completed their first runs, Charles Leclerc tops the timesheets ahead of Max. Franco Colapinto, both Williams drivers, both Cadillacs and Pierre Gasly are in the drop zone.

When the dust settles at the end of Q1, Norris is fastest ahead of Leclerc and Max. Both Williams drivers, both Cadillacs, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll are eliminated and will not feature in Q2.

Q2 gets underway with both Ferraris first out on track. Max completes his opening run on used tyres, saving a fresh set of softs in the process. That does not stop him from setting a purple first sector and going on to set the fastest time. After the first runs, Max leads Norris and Antonelli. Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso, Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto, Gasly and Arvid Lindblad are in the drop zone.

All drivers except Max, Norris and Hadjar head out for a second run. Russell is the first to take P1 from Max, before Antonelli moves ahead of his teammate and Leclerc then does the same to Antonelli. Gasly, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Alonso and Bearman fail to make the cut and are eliminated.

Both Mercedes drivers are first out on track for their opening runs in Q3, with Max following at a little distance. Russell is the first to start a flying lap, ahead of Antonelli and Max. Max sets a purple first sector, but at the line Antonelli is fastest ahead of Max, with a surprise third place for Hadjar. Leclerc is fourth, ahead of Russell and Hamilton.

Russell is first out for the decisive final run in Q3, leading the way ahead of teammate Antonelli, Leclerc and Max. Max goes purple in the first sector, but ultimately none of the top four can improve their positions. Antonelli claims pole position, with Max second and Hadjar putting in an impressive performance to secure third.

Results qualifying United States: