Lando Norris risks losing ground to Max Verstappen in his bid to be crowned world champion after seeing his rival take pole position for Saturday’s sprint race in the United States.
Norris, who trails Verstappen by 52 points heading into the concluding six rounds of the campaign, will line up three places behind Verstappen for the 19-lap dash after he qualified a disappointing fourth at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Verstappen has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix, nearly four months ago, but he pulled out an impressive lap in the closing seconds to beat Mercedes’ George Russell to top spot by just 0.012 seconds.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will line up from third, one place ahead of Norris, with Lewis Hamilton seventh.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The sprint race in Austin starts at 7pm (BST); qualifying is at 11pm
- Max Verstappen starts on pole for the sprint; Russell 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
- NEW: Alex Albon to start from the pit lane
- Lando Norris trails Verstappen by 52 points with six races left
- PREVIEW: How Trump and Harris revealed F1’s true value amid US presidential race
Sprint race schedule and start time
12:41
Kieran Jackson
The Sprint race is the headline event of Saturday’s F1 sessions in Austin for the US Grand Prix. Eight points are on offer for the winning driver, though the finishing order has no impact on Sunday’s Grand Prix grid.
After the race, qualifying will begin to determine who sits on pole. Here’s the schedule and the timings that you’ll to be aware of:
SATURDAY: 7pm BST - Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid); 11pm BST - Grand Prix qualifying
SUNDAY: 8pm BST - Grand Prix
How many points are on offer in the sprint race?
P1 - Eight points
P2 - Seven points
P3 - Six points
P4 - Five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
NEW: Alex Albon to start from the pit-lane
18:28
Kieran Jackson
The Williams driver - who qualified in 18th - will start the sprint race from the pit-lane following setup changes made to his car.
Not a bad effort from George Russell!
18:23
Kieran Jackson
Kicking off Saturday in Austin - @GeorgeRussell63 #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/QYfyIgWnyj
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 19, 2024
What is the starting grid for US Grand Prix sprint race?
18:14
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. George Russell
3. Charles Leclerc
4. Lando Norris
5. Carlos Sainz
6. Nico Hulkenberg
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Franco Colapinto
11. Sergio Perez
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Lance Stroll
14. Fernando Alonso
13. Lance Stroll
15. Liam Lawson
16. Oscar Piastri
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Alex Albon
19. Valtteri Bottas
20. Zhou Guanyu
Christian Horner responds to Zak Brown’s claim that Red Bull ‘bib’ device saga ‘doesn’t stack up’
18:02
Kieran Jackson
Asked by Sky F1 why the FIA still wanted to add seals to the bib adjuster, Horner replied: “I think there’s been a bit of moaning from one of our rivals.
“And it’s the FIA’s job to look into these things. It’s on a list of the open-source components, so it’s been publicly available for the last three years. The FIA are happy with it, I think, just to satisfy perhaps some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock.”
“I feel that it’s sometimes to distract from perhaps what’s going on in your own house, then sometimes you try to light a fire somewhere else?”
Lewis Hamilton and F1 are desperate for Africa return – but these obstacles must be overcome
17:47
Kieran Jackson
Formula One wants to return. Lewis Hamilton insists F1 cannot continue to ignore it. But after 31 years away, the sport still can’t thrash out a route back into the only viable continent (sorry Antarctica) it fails to race in: Africa.
It was 1993 the last time the “Mother Continent” hosted an F1 grand prix. That was at Kyalami, 20 miles north of Johannesburg, as Williams driver Alain Prost won the 27th version of the South African Grand Prix.
Rather obviously, it is difficult to claim the full veracity of the competition “Formula 1 World Championship” while a record 24-race calendar does not actually include the entire world and its continents.
But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made no secret of his desire to add an African race to the schedule, amid an opening set of talks with Rwandan officials last month.
However, is Rwanda the only option? South Africa has come close in recent years, too. And what are the major obstacles? The Independent takes a look at all the potential locations F1 could venture to in Africa.
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
17:34
Kieran Jackson
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits his team “need answers” to their driver line-up dilemma as the pressure grows on Sergio Perez.
Mexican driver Perez trails teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen by 187 points after 18 races this year and has not won a grand prix since April 2023.
Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 – with an option to extend for 2026 – but Liam Lawson’s promotion to sister team RB for this weekend’s US Grand Prix indicates that Red Bull are assessing their options ahead of next year.
Having relinquished their spot at the top of the constructors’ standings to McLaren, Red Bull boss Horner acknowledges that his team “can’t afford a big gap” between Verstappen and his team-mate next year.
Full quotes below:
Here’s why Oscar Piastri is starting P16 in today’s sprint...
17:11
Kieran Jackson
A shock for McLaren as Oscar Piastri falls foul of track limits and is OUT in SQ1 ❌ pic.twitter.com/efHBb6JcEG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 18, 2024
Lewis Hamilton reacts to Red Bull ‘bib’ device saga
16:30
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has reacted to Red Bull’s controversial device that alters the height of its front bib ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
“I’ve only just heard about it before I got here,” he told Sky Sports. “But I think the name of our sport is all about innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they’ve innovated.
“Ultimately all the teams look at the rules and try to find how to massage those rules and get the most out of it, even if it’s just over the edge a little bit. You just need to continue to evolve and be better policed.”
SPRINT QUALIFYING REPORT: Max Verstappen takes sprint race pole in US Grand Prix to turn up heat on Lando Norris
15:30
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris risks losing ground to Max Verstappen in his bid to be crowned world champion after seeing his rival take pole position for Saturday’s sprint race in the United States.
Norris, who trails Verstappen by 52 points heading into the concluding six rounds of the campaign, will line up three places behind Verstappen for the 19-lap dash after he qualified a disappointing fourth at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Full report below:
What is the starting grid for US Grand Prix sprint race?
14:30
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. George Russell
3. Charles Leclerc
4. Lando Norris
5. Carlos Sainz
6. Nico Hulkenberg
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Franco Colapinto
11. Sergio Perez
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Lance Stroll
14. Fernando Alonso
13. Lance Stroll
15. Liam Lawson
16. Oscar Piastri
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Alex Albon
19. Valtteri Bottas
20. Zhou Guanyu
F1 makes shock fastest lap rule change for 2025 season
13:30
Kieran Jackson
The FIA, F1’s governing body, have decided to remove the bonus point available for setting the fastest lap for the 2025 season onwards.
The extra point, given to the driver who sets the fastest lap in Sunday’s grand prix (if he finishes in the top-10), was introduced in 2019.
It often results in drivers pitting late in the race for an extra point, particularly if it doesn’t impact their position in the top-10.
Full story below:
A reminder of the start times this weekend in Austin:
12:30
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 19 October
- Sprint race: 7pm
- Qualifying: 11pm
Sunday 20 October
- Race: 8pm
RACE PREVIEW: How Donald Trump and Kamala Harris revealed F1’s true value as US presidential race nears finish line
11:30
Kieran Jackson
For a sport which struggled for the best part of 70 years to find a home across the Atlantic, Formula One’s presence in the United States has reached unprecedented heights this year. And that’s not just a nod to the three US races, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, nor to the boom in popularity stateside – a result of Liberty Media’s 2017 takeover and Netflix’s Drive to Survive fever.
Rather it has been, ahead of the highly charged US presidential election on 5 November, the surprising arena for the two nominees to appear, promote and present themselves in a unique and increasingly attractive way to the electorate.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen vs Lando Norris: predicting who will win the last six F1 races – and the 2024 title
10:30
Kieran Jackson
This was just a bit of fun... so don’t take it too seriously!
What’s the state of play in the drivers’ championship?
09:30
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 331 points
2. Lando Norris - 279 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 245 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 190 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 174 points
7. George Russell - 155 points
8. Sergio Perez - 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 24 points
11. Lance Stroll - 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Alex Albon - 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
16. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
17. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Sebastian Vettel announces racing return in ‘super team’ alongside axed F1 star
08:30
Kieran Jackson
Sebastian Vettel will return to racing next year at the 2025 Race of Champions in Sydney, teaming up with compatriot and friend Mick Schumacher.
Four-time F1 world champion Vettel retired in 2022 after 16 seasons in the sport, where he raced for the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Yet next March at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Vettel will form a German ‘super team’ alongside Schumacher – son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher – in the ROC Nations Cup.
More below:
SPRINT WEEKEND FORMAT
07:30
Kieran Jackson
Friday: Free Practice 1; sprint qualifying (for Saturday’s sprint race)
Saturday: Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid); Grand Prix qualifying
Sunday: Grand Prix
How many points are on offer in the sprint race?
P1 - Eight points
P2 - Seven points
P3 - Six points
P4 - Five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the US Grand Prix:
06:30
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 516 points
2. Red Bull - 475 points
3. Ferrari - 441 points
4. Mercedes - 329 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 31 points
8. Williams - 16 points
9. Alpine - 13 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
05:30
Kieran Jackson
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits his team “need answers” to their driver line-up dilemma as the pressure grows on Sergio Perez.
Mexican driver Perez trails teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen by 187 points after 18 races this year and has not won a grand prix since April 2023.
Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 – with an option to extend for 2026 – but Liam Lawson’s promotion to sister team RB for this weekend’s US Grand Prix indicates that Red Bull are assessing their options ahead of next year.
Having relinquished their spot at the top of the constructors’ standings to McLaren, Red Bull boss Horner acknowledges that his team “can’t afford a big gap” between Verstappen and his team-mate next year.
Full quotes below:
No more Daniel Ricciardo!
04:30
Kieran Jackson
Ricciardo was dropped after the last race in Singapore in favour of Liam Lawson!
Here you can look back on his F1 career, which is now likely to be at an end...
Lewis Hamilton and F1 are desperate for Africa return – but these obstacles must be overcome
03:30
Kieran Jackson
Formula One wants to return. Lewis Hamilton insists F1 cannot continue to ignore it. But after 31 years away, the sport still can’t thrash out a route back into the only viable continent (sorry Antarctica) it fails to race in: Africa.
It was 1993 the last time the “Mother Continent” hosted an F1 grand prix. That was at Kyalami, 20 miles north of Johannesburg, as Williams driver Alain Prost won the 27th version of the South African Grand Prix.
Rather obviously, it is difficult to claim the full veracity of the competition “Formula 1 World Championship” while a record 24-race calendar does not actually include the entire world and its continents.
But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made no secret of his desire to add an African race to the schedule, amid an opening set of talks with Rwandan officials last month.
However, is Rwanda the only option? South Africa has come close in recent years, too. And what are the major obstacles? The Independent takes a look at all the potential locations F1 could venture to in Africa.
SPRINT QUALIFYING REPORT: Max Verstappen takes sprint race pole in US Grand Prix to turn up heat on Lando Norris
02:30
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris risks losing ground to Max Verstappen in his bid to be crowned world champion after seeing his rival take pole position for Saturday’s sprint race in the United States.
Norris, who trails Verstappen by 52 points heading into the concluding six rounds of the campaign, will line up three places behind Verstappen for the 19-lap dash after he qualified a disappointing fourth at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Full report below:
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying P7
01:40
Kieran Jackson
“I got unlucky with the yellow flag. It is what it is, four-tenths up.
Is that a pole gone begging? “Yep. The team has made a step with the car, the upgrade has clearly worked. It’s been a tough slog for everyone. Tomorrow we have another chance.
“We made changes to the car, it’s always a bit of a gamble. As soon as I got out the car, night and day different.”
What is the starting grid for US Grand Prix sprint race?
01:10
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen
2. George Russell
3. Charles Leclerc
4. Lando Norris
5. Carlos Sainz
6. Nico Hulkenberg
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Franco Colapinto
11. Sergio Perez
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Lance Stroll
14. Fernando Alonso
13. Lance Stroll
15. Liam Lawson
16. Oscar Piastri
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Valtteri Bottas
29. Zhou Guanyu
Pit lane. Alex Albon
F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell, after qualifying second for the sprint race..
Saturday 19 October 2024 00:47
Kieran Jackson
“I’m really happy, been a while since we’ve been on the front row. My lap at the end was really strong. Lewis got caught out by the yellows. Great to be back in the mix again.
“We knew we had potential in the car. If we manage to qualify in second, feeling good.”
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
Friday 18 October 2024 22:24
Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle believes there is “no smoking gun” for Red Bull as their ‘bib’ device saga continues at the US Grand Prix in Austin on Friday.
Full quotes below:
SPRINT WEEKEND FORMAT
Friday 18 October 2024 22:21
Kieran Jackson
Friday: Free Practice 1 (DONE); sprint qualifying (for Saturday’s sprint race)
Saturday: Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid); Grand Prix qualifying
Sunday: Grand Prix
How many points are on offer in the sprint race?
P1 - Eight points
P2 - Seven points
P3 - Six points
P4 - Five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
A reminder of the start times this weekend in Austin:
Friday 18 October 2024 22:15
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 18 October
- Sprint qualifying: 10:30pm
Saturday 19 October
- Sprint race: 7pm
- Qualifying: 11pm
Sunday 20 October
- Race: 8pm
What’s the state of play in the drivers’ championship?
Friday 18 October 2024 22:03
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 331 points
2. Lando Norris - 279 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 245 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 190 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 174 points
7. George Russell - 155 points
8. Sergio Perez - 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 24 points
11. Lance Stroll - 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Alex Albon - 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
16. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
17. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
SPRINT WEEKEND FORMAT
Friday 18 October 2024 18:23
Kieran Jackson
Friday: Free Practice 1; sprint qualifying (for Saturday’s sprint race)
Saturday: Sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order has no impact on grand prix grid); Grand Prix qualifying
Sunday: Grand Prix
How many points are on offer in the sprint race?
P1 - Eight points
P2 - Seven points
P3 - Six points
P4 - Five points
P5 - four points
P6 - three points
P7 - two points
P8 - one point
A reminder of the start times this weekend in Austin:
Friday 18 October 2024 18:15
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 18 October
- Free practice 1: 6:30pm
- Sprint qualifying: 10:30pm
Saturday 19 October
- Sprint race: 7pm
- Qualifying: 11pm
Sunday 20 October
- Race: 8pm
Lewis Hamilton and F1 are desperate for Africa return – but these obstacles must be overcome
Friday 18 October 2024 18:11
Kieran Jackson
Formula One wants to return. Lewis Hamilton insists F1 cannot continue to ignore it. But after 31 years away, the sport still can’t thrash out a route back into the only viable continent (sorry Antarctica) it fails to race in: Africa.
It was 1993 the last time the “Mother Continent” hosted an F1 grand prix. That was at Kyalami, 20 miles north of Johannesburg, as Williams driver Alain Prost won the 27th version of the South African Grand Prix.
Rather obviously, it is difficult to claim the full veracity of the competition “Formula 1 World Championship” while a record 24-race calendar does not actually include the entire world and its continents.
But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has made no secret of his desire to add an African race to the schedule, amid an opening set of talks with Rwandan officials last month.
However, is Rwanda the only option? South Africa has come close in recent years, too. And what are the major obstacles? The Independent takes a look at all the potential locations F1 could venture to in Africa.
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does qualifying shootout work?
Friday 18 October 2024 18:04
Kieran Jackson
The sprint format continues in Formula 1 this weekend as the US Grand Prix hosts the fourth sprint weekend of the 2024 season.
The sprint was first introduced in 2021 at Silverstone as a way of making more sessions over the course of the weekend competitive, with the target of driving interest in F1. In 2021 and 2022, there were three sprints a year.
2023 saw a new format. The number of sprint races were doubled to six, while Saturday was designed ‘sprint day’ - with a new “sprint shootout” qualifying session determining the grid for the sprint race. In addition, the result of the sprint race had no baring on the grand prix on Sunday.
However, the format has been tweaked again in 2024 and we will see it in action for the fourth time this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas:
Friday 18 October 2024 17:56
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has reacted to Red Bull’s controversial device that alters the height of its front bib ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
“I’ve only just heard about it before I got here,” he told Sky Sports. “But I think the name of our sport is all about innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they’ve innovated.
“Ultimately all the teams look at the rules and try to find how to massage those rules and get the most out of it, even if it’s just over the edge a little bit. You just need to continue to evolve and be better policed.”
Max Verstappen vs Lando Norris: predicting who will win the last six F1 races – and the 2024 title
Friday 18 October 2024 17:47
Kieran Jackson
This was just a bit of fun... so don’t take it too seriously!
No more Daniel Ricciardo!
Friday 18 October 2024 17:40
Kieran Jackson
Ricciardo was dropped after the last race in Singapore in favour of Liam Lawson!
Here you can look back on his F1 career, which is now likely to be at an end...
Sebastian Vettel announces racing return in ‘super team’ alongside axed F1 star
Friday 18 October 2024 17:29
Kieran Jackson
Sebastian Vettel will return to racing next year at the 2025 Race of Champions in Sydney, teaming up with compatriot and friend Mick Schumacher.
Four-time F1 world champion Vettel retired in 2022 after 16 seasons in the sport, where he raced for the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Yet next March at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Vettel will form a German ‘super team’ alongside Schumacher – son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher – in the ROC Nations Cup.
More below:
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the US Grand Prix
Friday 18 October 2024 17:22
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 516 points
2. Red Bull - 475 points
3. Ferrari - 441 points
4. Mercedes - 329 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 31 points
8. Williams - 16 points
9. Alpine - 13 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
What’s the state of play in the drivers’ championship?
Friday 18 October 2024 17:05
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 331 points
2. Lando Norris - 279 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 245 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 190 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 174 points
7. George Russell - 155 points
8. Sergio Perez - 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 24 points
11. Lance Stroll - 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Alex Albon - 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
16. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
17. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
