F1 US GP Live Commentary and Updates - Sprint
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Sprint
Formula 1 returns from its mini-break with a trip to the Circuit of the Americas, kick-starting the next triple-header.
Lando Norris dominated the Singapore Grand Prix last time out but still faces an uphill battle to overcome Max Verstappen in the race for the drivers' title, even with McLaren now ahead of Red Bull in the constructors' standings.
With off-track headlines again dominating ahead of the weekend, it was Verstappen who took pole for the Sprint. Will he hang on to win and extend his championship lead with Norris starting fourth?
The Sprint gets under way at 7pm BST.
Live Standings
Live Text
DRS is enabled with Verstappen 0.9s ahead of Norris at the start of the second lap. The fight behind has seen the front two push clear of the rest.
Alonso was off the track through the Esses put everyone is still running in order. Russell and Leclerc go side-by-side through Turns 12-15 as the Mercedes driver defends third place.
Verstappen gets away well and defends strongly against Russell, which opens a gap for Norris behind who dives from fourth to second!
Mercedes gives Hamilton the all-clear over that issue, as Verstappen lines up in the pole position slot. Here we go...
Verstappen has needed to slam on the brakes at Turn 11 in order to back up the pack again as tailender Zhou has only reached Turn 2. Hamilton reports a clicking noise when he brakes which Mercedes is checking over.
Verstappen leads the pack away from the grid for the formation lap.
Tyres: Everyone starts on mediums. That was easy.
Here we go then, the grid is cleared of Sting, the Vengaboys DJ and company. It is time for the US GP sprint.
Last-minute instructions for the world champion.
Meanwhile We like to Party by the Vengaboys is boomed out over the DJ set on the grid. Wonder what Sting makes of that.
Sting is on the US GP sprint race grid as the celebs rub shoulders with the drivers, making him not quite an Englishman in New York. Right?
Full US GP sprint starting grid: 1. Verstappen, 2. Russell, 3. Leclerc, 4. Norris, 5. Sainz, 6. Hulkenberg, 7. Hamilton, 8. Magnussen, 9. Tsunoda, 10. Colapinto, 11. Perez, 12. Gasly, 13. Stroll, 14. Alonso, 15. Lawson, 16. Piastri, 17. Ocon, 18. Bottas, 19. Zhou, Pitlane, Albon.
For the record, the air temperature is 26.6C and the track temperature is up to 43.4C meaning it is a fair chunk hotter than yesterday. There is no chance of rain too.
It might not be as hot as it can be in Texas, having been 37 degrees when I arrived on Tuesday, but it is noticeably hotter today compared to FP1. I’m told to expect graining on the mediums in this race by Pirelli, but this will clean up, while the soft is not expected to be a good race tyre.
The pitlane is closed and 19 cars are on the grid as the atmosphere gradually builds. With such limited running on Friday under the sprint race schedule, predicting this one is very difficult.
So, 19 laps of the Circuit of the Americas coming up, with Verstappen on pole from Russell, Leclerc and title rival Norris in fourth. Verstappen's last pole and win, of any kind, came in the Austrian GP sprint race back in June and this is a perfect opportunity for the Dutch driver to assert his dominance in the title fight once again after a long time off top spot.
Russell has just shaken hands with mechanics on both sides of the Mercedes garage. He seems very chilled - even a nod for Autosport!
The sprint hasn't started yet but that hasn't stopped the drivers from racing, as Piastri has to take to the run-off to avoid clattering one of the Saubers on the laps to the grid. Easy guys!
The pitlane is open and the drivers are on their way to the grid for the US GP sprint that starts in just under 30 minutes. One minor change to the grid is Albon, who will start from the pitlane after Williams made rear wing and suspension changes under parc ferme.
Hello one and all! Who fancies a sprint race? Coming right up!
By: Haydn Cobb
