Max Verstappen defeats Lando Norris to pole for Formula 1's United States Grand Prix as championship leader Oscar Piastri could only manage sixth

Andrea Stella has stated that McLaren are ‘a long way’ from prioritising Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris to get his maiden World Championship title over the line. From a comfortable position at the summer break, the duo are coming under increasing pressure from Max Verstappen.

It is now certain that Russell will drive for Mercedes and Verstappen for Red Bull in 2026, but questions of a Verstappen team switch for 2027 will be prevalent throughout the 2026 season, and Wolff will likely be the one having to bat away the rumours.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes that Max Verstappen's advantage at the United States Grand Prix shows he and Red Bull

Max Verstappen will start tomorrow’s United States Grand Prix from pole position at Circuit of the Americas. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three after qualifying in Austin, Texas — where championship leader Oscar Piastri finished only sixth fastest.

Max Verstappen feels Red Bull have made a step-forward from Friday on course to taking pole position for Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to an easy victory in a crash-filled United States Grand Prix sprint race and then took pole position for the main event on a rough day for Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri.

The vibes of Formula One and NASCAR blended in Saturday's F1 Sprint race at Circuit of the Americas, if not the actual drivers.