Qualifying duels after the US | Angry Verstappen outshines Perez

Exceeding the track limits prevented Max Verstappen from taking pole for the United States Grand Prix. Finishing only sixth, the Red Bull Racing Dutchman was yet again the superior of his teammate Sergio Perez. It remains to wait until the Mexican is the better driver in the internal team duel during qualifying for the second time this season on his own.

Lewis Hamilton is number three in the championship standings, well ahead of his teammate George Russell (eighth). In qualifying, the latter did have the upper hand over the seven-time champion this season. That came to an end on Friday afternoon local time in Austin - for now. Hamilton qualified ahead of Russell, levelling the duel between the Mercedes men.

The Red Bull drivers' story has many similarities to that of the Aston Martin men. Fernando Alonso had a dramatic qualifying session with a 17th place. So that could have been a prime opportunity for Lance Stroll to make up something of his deficit in the mutual qualifying battle. But on an offday from Alonso, the Canadian also once again sank through the ice.

Alex Albon -not entirely surprisingly- retained his unbeaten status against Logan Sargeant. Not once yet this season did the American manage to finish ahead of his more experienced colleague from Thailand.

Verstappen 16-1 Perez*
Leclerc 11-7 Sainz
Hamilton 9-9 Russell
Ocon 7-11 Gasly
Norris 13-5 Piastri
Bottas 11-6 Zhou**
Alonso 16-2 Stroll
Magnussen 5-12 Hulkenberg*
Tsunoda 4-1 Lawson / Tsunoda 2-1 Ricciardo / Tsunoda 7-2 De Vries
Albon 18-0 Sargeant

*If drivers cannot take action in a session due to technical problems, we do not count this as a direct win for the other driver.

**If drivers are disqualified due to technical problems, we do not count this as a direct win for the other driver.