US GP Quali: Max and Lewis on front row, again
Max Verstappen pulled off a sensational final lap in Q3 to get the Pole position at US GP. Lewis did all that he could but still managed only P2. Perez was in good touch but last minute drizzle caused him to lose grip and come P3.
Mighty Max at US GP
Max was actually not that comfortable with the car in all the practice sessions. He was not getting the long runs done with too much traffic around. The setup was coming together and he struggled with getting the pace. However he chipped in session by session and put in a blistering lap when it mattered the most – the final lap of Q3 session. Max would be very happy starting from the Pole position of US GP.
Checho very popular at US GP
It is something which was not expected – The Mexican Sergio Perez being super popular in Texas, which has a large Mexican population. Checho looked in good touch in all the practice sessions. The podium finish at Turkish GP would have been a much needed boost to his confidence. He was on pole in the first lap of Q3 and was doing well in the final lap too. But rain came in just before his lap was about to end and he lost grip at turn 15. He lost to Hamilton by just two-hundredths of a second. He would still be happy starting P3 and anything can happen in the race.
Lewis starting on front row, on the right side
Historically US GP has been a stronghold for Mercedes, having been in pole positions in most of the previous race. It is a track that suits Lewis and Mercedes seemed to be quick in all the practice sessions. But Red bull unlocked something in their car and were good in FP3 and Quali sessions. Mercedes had the pace but were not stable, with the car not firmly planted and drifting here and there. Still Lewis did all that he could and pulled off a final lap good enough to be P2. He was two-tenths behind Max. When the race will start at US GP, Lewis will have the inner line to turn 1 and would be looking to do something exciting there.
Valtteri Bottas finished P4 but he is getting a new engine, again, and thus will be starting P9 in the race.
Ferrari boys doing very well
Ferrari looked in good touch in all the practice sessions. Charles Leclerc in particular was punching above his weight and he will be starting P4 in the race. Carlos Sainz was not much behind him and will be starting P5.
McLaren would have hoped for something better, especially as their chief rivals this season – Ferrari – will be ahead of them. Danny Ric loves Texas and this track. He put in a good lap too and will be starting P6. Lando would be a bit disappointed, being behind the Honey Badger. He will be starting P7.
Pierre Gasly, consistent as always, extracted the most of his Alpha Tauri and will be starting P8. His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda managed to get in Q3 and will be starting P10.
Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and George Russell have all taken engine penalties and will be starting from the back of the grid.
US GP starting grid : Max and Lewis on the front row
