Max Verstappen makes Red Bull wish after passing critical test

Max Verstappen has expressed his desire to ensure he has a strong start and launch in the United States Grand Prix Sprint - to capitalise on a shock pole position.

On the sole flying laps in SQ3, Verstappen was the final driver to cross the line to start his lap, with his target for pole being Lando Norris's 1:32.214 attempt.

The Red Bull driver lowered this to a 1:32.143 to take his first Sprint pole of the season, and 10th in the format overall - the most of any driver.

Verstappen is now unbeaten in Sprint qualifying in Austin, having taken the 2023 and 2024 poles, and is primed to further eat into Oscar Piastri's 63-point lead in the standings. 

Verstappen's previous two wins in Italy and Azerbaijan have come on low-downforce circuits, with Austin primed as an examination of his title credentials if he could be in contention with the McLarens - and promptly out-qualified both Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Reflecting, Verstappen identified the need for a good start and launch to maintain position. 

"It was a nice qualifying, I think throughout the segments were quite close, and it was just about trying to put it all together when it mattered at the end, which was not easy," Verstappen explained.

"Because you go to the soft compound [in SQ3], with no reference, but it worked out well, I still expect it to be a tough battle in the Sprint, but that's exactly what we want to see. 

"The wind was coming up and down, and it was very gusty. The track is bumpy as well, so the car can easily step out on you in the high-speed, so you have to leave a bit of margin here and there, but for us, it was a good day.

"I will just try to have a good start and hope we have good pace in the race, but we will find out."