Live: F1 United States GP commentary and updates - FP3 & Qualifying | Live text

By: Haydn Cobb, Jake Boxall-Legge

Summary

Sainz takes pole for the F1 US GP from Leclerc and Verstappen
Leclerc has 10-place penalty for Sunday's race, Perez qualifies fourth but has five-place grid drop to serve
Eliminated in Q1: Magnussen, Ricciardo, Ocon, Schumacher, Latifi
Eliminated in Q2: Albon, Vettel, Gasly, Zhou, Tsunoda

Leaderboard

Sainz, Ferrari
Leclerc, Ferrari
Verstappen, Red Bull
Perez, Red Bull
Hamilton, Mercedes
Russell, Mercedes
Stroll, Aston Martin
Norris, McLaren
Alonso, Alpine
Bottas, Alfa Romeo

Status: Stopped

01:23 With that, we'll call time on this live text commentary of US GP qualifying. Be sure to check back with us tomorrow (or later today if you are in the UK or Europe!) for the race, which starts at 8pm BST (2pm local time). Until then have a good one - go well!

01:17 Here's a recap on US GP qualifying:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-united-states-gp-qualifying-sainz-pole/10388672/

01:16 Leclerc qualifies second but he'll take a 10-place grid drop for an engine and turbo change, while Perez in fourth will drop five spots for an engine change. Alonso (ninth) and Zhou (14th) will also drop five spots on tomorrow's grid for engine changes.

01:11

01:10 Sainz on his pole: "It was a lot of fun, very tricky with the gusts of wind. I managed to put together a good lap without mistakes. Pole position was a long time coming in the dry. Red Bull is still favourite as they usually have the better race pace."

01:08 Verstappen on the passing of Mateschitz: "It has been hard news for everyone, for Red Bull and for the sport, and for me in general in my career and in my life. It is a very tough day. We missed out in qualifying by a little bit, but there is a race tomorrow and we'll try to do it for him."

01:06 The top three park up in the main straight in front of the crowd, ready to be interviewed by Danica Patrick.

01:04 Sainz over team radio: "I knew it was coming guys, I knew it."

01:03 Stroll held on to seventh which is an impressive effort, ahead of Norris, Alonso and Bottas.

01:03 It is a Ferrari 1-2 before the penalties are applied, as Leclerc ended qualifying in second ahead of Verstappen in third and Perez in fourth. Then, in a neat two-by-two, it is the Mercedes pair of Hamilton and Russell.

01:02 Carlos Sainz, where did that come from! The Ferrari driver takes pole position with a 1m34.356s!

01:01 Leclerc lights up sector one, but Verstappen is battling back in sector two, this could be close...

00:59 Final flying lap time. Advantage Leclerc and Ferrari, but what can the rest produce?

00:58 Verstappen is indeed doing an extra preparation lap as he rounds the final corner without going full beans. He'll join the incoming traffic as everyone bar Stroll heads out.

00:57 Stroll puts in a 1m35.598s to put him seventh ahead of Alonso, Norris and Bottas, which would effectively be best of the rest behind the Ferraris, Red Bulls and Mercs.

00:56 Verstappen heads out early for his final run, perhaps to do an extra preparation lap, with four minutes of Q3 to go.

00:55 Those nine drivers dive into the pits for fresh softs ahead of the final runs, as Stroll nips out for his one-and-done go.

00:55 Leclerc cannot take proper pole due to his incoming grid penalty, so as it stands Sainz would start on pole from Hamilton.

00:53 Leclerc goes on to provisional pole with a 1m34.624s and Ferrari team-mate Sainz makes it a 1-2, as Hamilton goes third quickest. That pushes Verstappen down to fourth. Interesting.

00:52 First lap times coming in, and Verstappen is the benchmark with a 1m35.044s but here come the Ferrari pair.