2016 F1 Round 18 United States GP Qualifying, Hamilton on Pole with Red Bull on Row Two

Hamilton took pole position for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas, setting a 1:34.999 on his final run. Rosberg qualified second as Mercedes locked out the front row.

Archive image of the drivers together during the 2016 United States Grand Prix

Hamilton maintained his pace on both Q3 runs and ultimately extended his advantage over his team-mate. Rosberg could not match him and finished around two-tenths of a second behind.

Ricciardo and Verstappen qualified third and fourth to put both Red Bulls on the second row. They carried their FP3 pace into qualifying, while Ferrari failed to break into the top four.

Räikkönen and Vettel were fifth and sixth, with Hülkenberg seventh. Bottas, Massa and Sainz completed the top ten in that order, while Pérez ended qualifying in 11th.

Drivers kept lowering the benchmark during Q1 and Q2. In the final session, Mercedes was more consistent in its tyre preparation and single-lap rhythm, allowing Hamilton to secure an advantage at the front.

Both Williams drivers reached Q3, with Bottas eighth and Massa ninth. Sainz was tenth. Alonso was eliminated in Q2 in 12th, while Button ended Q1 in 19th.

Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo and Verstappen occupied the top four positions, leaving Mercedes and Red Bull at the head of the field. The race start would provide a direct test of the two teams’ competitiveness.

Hamilton claimed his ninth pole of the season, with Rosberg alongside him and Red Bull poised to challenge from the second row. The start would be an important moment for the two title contenders.