Max Verstappen has turned the heat on F1 championship leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris by taking pole for the sprint race at the Formula One US Grand Prix.

The defending champion clocked the fastest time of one minute 32.143 seconds in qualifying on Friday, beating Norris by mere 0.071s and Piastri in the other McLaren.

Piastri, who was 0.380s behind Dutch ace Verstappen, will start third on the grid ahead of German Nico Hulkenberg (1:32.645).

Norris had set a commanding pace in practice to throw down the gauntlet to Piastri, who leads his teammate by 22 points in the standings.

The 25-year-old has appeared to have the edge on the Australian around the sweeping Texas circuit, backing up his blistering pace in the only practice session by topping the first two sessions of sprint qu

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