FRIDAY DEBRIEF: Has Verstappen got what it takes to conquer McLaren again in Austin?
Max Verstappen is rapidly closing the points gap to McLaren's championship-leading pairing, and after taking Sprint pole at the United States Grand Prix, will hope to deal a further blow on Saturday. But does his Red Bull have the pace to achieve this target?
/PRACTICE%20DEBRIEF%20V1%20(2).webp)
Max Verstappen took his 10th Sprint pole in 22 Sprint weekends with a superb final lap at Austin's Circuit of The Americas to edge out the McLaren of Lando Norris by the smallest of margins. But have the Dutchman and his Red Bull team got what it takes to defeat McLaren for the fourth race weekend on the bounce?
Verstappen delivers again as Red Bull maintain run of form
Max Verstappen has been on fire since F1 returned from the summer break, the Dutchman scoring two wins and two second places in four race weekends.
And that form continued into Austin, with the Dutchman finding the time when it mattered in the final segment of Sprint Qualifying to pip Norris – who had been quickest in SQ1 and SQ2 – to take pole.
Next Up
Related Articles
Verstappen ‘incredibly proud’ after historic Bahrain GP win
How Hadjar lost a possible podium chance in Sepang/GettyImages-2298357938.webp)
Norris admits McLaren ‘a long way off the pace’ in Malaysia
All the key moments from the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
What the teams said – Race day in Malaysia /Bahrain%20finish.webp)
AS IT HAPPENED: Verstappen wins epic Bahrain GP in Malaysia