US Grand Prix – Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton took pole position ahead of title rival Sebastian Vettel at the Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton’s first lap in Q3 of a 1:33.108 was enough to keep him ahead of the chasing pack, whereas Vettel improved on his second run to get within a quarter of a second of the Mercedes.
This was despite Hamilton complaining to his race engineer over team radio that his engine was derating out of the final corner.
Valtteri Bottas was third, 0.460s off his team mate after struggling with his set-up throughout practice.
Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen did identical lap times, but Ricciardo starts fourth ahead of the Finn.
Max Verstappen was sixth, but will start will start last after taking a 15-place grid penalty for a new MGU-H and a new internal combustion engine, which is an upgraded version from Renault.
The Red Bull driver used the supersoft tyres in Q2, so will start the race on the same set.
Esteban Ocon heads the midfield battle for Force India, ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr. who was an impressive eighth on his Renault debut, despite only doing one run in Q3.
Fernando Alonso utilised a new front wing to put his McLaren into the top ten ahead of Sergio Perez.
Stoffel Vandoorne was 13th but takes a five-place grid penalty for taking on an eighth internal combustion engine of the season.
Nico Hulkenberg did not do a lap in Q2 as he too takes an engine penalty for taking the upgraded Renault unit, as well as a new MGU-H and turbo.
Lance Stroll was unable to get his Williams out of Q1 after suffering a deployment issue on his final run. He is currently under investigation for impeding Romain Grosjean at the final corner. The Haas driver drove onto the grass trying to avoid him.
He qualified 16th ahead of Formula 1 debutant Brendon Hartley for Toro Rosso.
Kevin Magnussen qualified last and his under investigation for impeding Sergio Perez at Turn 13.
