2024 United States Grand Prix: The Ninja vs. The Ninja (In a Race Car!)
Hold onto your hats, folks, because after a breathless Sprint race that had all the drama of a soap opera and the speed of a caffeinated squirrel, we’re gearing up for the Grand Prix in Austin! That’s right, it’s round nineteen of the 2024 season. Can you believe we’re this deep into the year? It’s the final sprint (no pun intended) as we approach the end of the season!
Starting at the front today is none other than Lando Norris, who’s parked his McLaren in pole position for the United States GP—his sixth of the season. Brilliant work, Lando! That’s more pole positions than I’ve had hot dinners this month. It seems that the only thing hotter than Texas BBQ today is Lando’s qualifying lap! He narrowly nudged past his championship rival, Max Verstappen, who, judging by the devilish grin on his face, looks ready to give Lando a run for his money. I’m sprucing up my popcorn for this duel!
The Grid – Who’s on the Frontline?
And just behind our front-row friends, we have a couple of Ferraris, namely Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. They looked as sparkling in Saturday’s Sprint as a freshly polished trophy. If they can maintain that pace, we might just see an Italian job that doesn’t involve a heist. How about that?
Now, let’s not forget Oscar Piastri, who managed to pull himself out of disappointment in qualifying and placed his McLaren in a respectable spot. It’s the kind of comeback that would make Rocky Balboa proud! Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is starting in 6th with the best position for a tasty A524 – I mean, this grid is like a who’s who of talent, just missing a bunch of TikTok influencers trying to sneak in for a selfie!
Ah, but not all is rosy in the garden of Formula 1! Our Mr. George Russell, the self-proclaimed ‘chosen one’, will be starting from the pits following his unfortunate accident in Q3. That’s right, while the others get to race, he has a delightful time playing mechanic. Who said F1 isn’t a multi-talented industry?
And poor Lewis Hamilton has found himself languishing down in 17th position after a qualifying issue. That’s got to sting more than a bee with a vendetta! At least he’s ahead of Zhou Guanyu and Liam Lawson—who’s starting 19th for his comeback—because otherwise, it would be like being stuck in a traffic jam with a fast car but no fast drivers.
What’s Next?
So there you have it, folks! The starting grid for the thrilling US GP is stacked, and the drama is just beginning. Buckle up because the only thing that’s guaranteed is speed, excitement, and—if previous races are anything to go by—a good bit of cheeky banter from your favorite drivers. Let’s just hope the only crashes today are in the race, not the social media engagement! If you ask me, it’s going to be harder to predict the winner than choosing the right avocado at the supermarket!
READ ALSO > George Russell offers pole position to Lando Norris in Austin
After a thrilling Sprint race and Max Verstappen’s return to the top, it’s time for the Grand Prix! Austin hosts the nineteenth round of the 2024 season, the first stage of an intense Final Sprint until the end of the season. And it is Lando Norris who will start from pole position for the United States GP, his sixth pole this season. The Briton narrowly beat his championship rival, Max Verstappen, also taking advantage of George Russell’s accident at the end of the session to secure his first place. The first two in the championship on the front row, this announces an interesting start.
On the second row, we will find the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz, sparkling during the Sprint on Saturday, and that of Charles Leclerc. The Italians showed an interesting race pace during the first race of the weekend. They will be ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, who made up for it after his disappointment in Sprint qualifying. Very good qualifying session for Pierre Gasly who will start 6th aboard an advanced A524, the best starting position for an Alpine this season.
The Norman, as well as all the other drivers behind him, gained a position on the grid since George Russell, initially qualified 6th, will finally start from the pits since parts of another specification were installed on his Mercedes following his accident in Q3.
On the other hand, you have to go very far down the grid to find the trace of Lewis Hamilton. Victim of a problem during qualifying, the Briton was eliminated in Q1 and found himself in 17th position on the grid, ahead of two drivers penalized for new engine components: Guanyu Zhou and Liam Lawson, who will start 19th for his return to F1.
F1 – 2024 United States GP
The starting grid
READ ALSO > George Russell offers pole position to Lando Norris in Austin
