Sainz on pole in front of Verstappen. Leclerc 12th – Corriere.it

Ferrari flies to pole in the US GP in Austin. Carlos Sainz with a fantastic lap set the best time ahead of Leclerc who, however, will start twelfth, relegated due to the change of engine. In the front row with the Spaniard (third start at the pole of the season) there is Max Verstappen. Behind the two Mercedes of Hamilton and Russell, then Lance and Norris who gain positions thanks to the relegations of the others.

Half an hour before qualifying the paddock was reached by the news of the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull, who passed away at the age of 78. “I will try to honor him as best I can, it’s a sad day: it has meant so much for me, also for my career and for my whole life,” said Verstappen. Ferrari president John Elkann also joins the memory: “I am grateful to Dietrich Mateschitz for everything he has done for motorsport and I want to remember his passion and courage as an entrepreneur, as a man who always loved new challenges. “.

Red Bull can win the constructors’ title on Sunday 23 October. “He was a humble, courageous man, he had an incredible energy.” This is how Sergio Perez remembers him: the Mexican will start ninth, even for him he changes to the power unit.
For Ferrari it is the twelfth pole of the season, equal to the record of 2004. However, the victories are only four. At Maranello, they are working hard to solve the 2023 engine reliability problems, and Leclerc’s new power unit goes in this direction. A success in America (the last with Raikkonen in 2018) would give enthusiasm and certify progress. But Red Bull always seems to have an edge on Sunday on the race pace.

But Sainz is energized and believes in it: «It wasn’t easy due to a lot of gusts of wind, but in the end I put together a great lap without errors. I’ve been waiting for this pole for a long time and I’m happy. For tomorrow I think Red Bull is still the favorite, but we will do everything to stay ahead and try to win ».