Carlos Sainz takes pole at US Grand Prix in Austin with Max Verstappen to start second as F1 mourns Dietrich Mateschitz

CARLOS SAINZ took pole position for the US Grand Prix at Austin.

The Spaniard will start in P1 for the third time in his career after beating his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc, was second-quickest but will be hit with a 10-place grid drop for taking a new engine while Sergio Perez will also move back five places also due to taking new parts.

It means while Sainz will start at the front, Max Verstappen will take second spot on the grid with Lewis Hamilton in third and George Russell lining up in fourth.

Verstappen, who found out a little over an hour before qualifying that Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz had sadly passed away said the team will be looking to win Sunday’s race in his memory.

Verstappen said: “It was hard news for everyone. What it means for Red Bull and for me, it is really tough and hard day.

“I gave it everything and unfortunately we missed out but there is a long race ahead and we will try to win for him tomorrow.

He added: “The result doesn’t matter today. Without him I would not be sitting here today and not had the success I have had, so a terrible time for everyone.

“Luckily, I got to see him a few weeks back and spend some time together.”;

Sainz said: “It was a lot of fun, very tricky with the gusts of wind. I managed to put together a good lap without mistakes.

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“Pole position was a long time coming in the dry. Red Bull is still the favourite as they usually have the better race pace.”;

Lando Norris will also benefit from Leclerc and Sainz’s respective penalties and will start the race in sixth place.

Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher, who is under pressure to stop crashing and start delivering if he is to earn a new deal at Haas, suffered another miserable result.

The German spun and while he kept his car out of the barriers, he was booted out of Q1 at the first hurdle.

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, who has no seat next season, was also given an early exit and qualified in 17th place.