Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the U.S. Grand Prix sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas, narrowly beating Mercedes' George Russell by 0.012 seconds. This marks Verstappen's first pole since June in Austria, demonstrating his prowess despite earlier challenges with Red Bull's car setup. Lando Norris qualified fourth behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, while Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri was eliminated early due to a track limits violation. Mercedes' strategic decision to send drivers out early in the session may have cost Russell the pole position as the track conditions improved later. Notably, Sergio Perez faced setbacks, starting 11th after being knocked out in the second session. The sprint race offers crucial points, which are vital for Norris and others aiming to close the gap to Verstappen.