F1 Sprint Shootout Results - United States Grand Prix 2023 times from DRAMATIC session

Chris Deeley
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:19 - Updated: 21:20

Max Verstappen qualified first for Saturday evening's sprint race in a dramatic sprint shootout session, with just over a tenth of a second covering the top four.

The first four drivers were all driving different cars, with Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris hot on the Dutchman's heels.

Fernando Alonso was eliminated from in SQ2, continuing a nightmare weekend for the Spaniard after qualifying in the bottom five for Sunday's feature race.

The sprint shootout gave Verstappen a chance to redeem himself after Friday's qualifying session for Sunday's feature race, qualifying just sixth after having his fastest time deleted for a track limits violation.

The three-time champion set the fastest time in all three shootout sessions, but had a scary moment when his car did a full 360º spin on his second flying lap in SQ2 – just managing to rescue it.

READ MORE: F1 track limits explained: What are they and why are they important?

F1 Sprint Shootout Results: US Grand Prix 2023

1. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - 1:34.538s

2. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] - +0.055s

3. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes] - +0.069s

4. Lando Norris [McLaren] - +0.101s

5. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] - +0.356s

6. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] - +0.401s

7. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] - +0.503s

8. George Russell [Mercedes] - +0.661s

9. Alex Albon [Williams] - +0.828s

10. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +1.359s

ELIMINATED IN SQ2

11. Daniel Ricciardo [AlphaTauri]

12. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]

13. Esteban Ocon [Alpin]

14. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin]

15. Zhou Guanyu [Alfa Romeo]

ELIMINATED IN SQ1

16. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas]

17. Kevin Magnussen [Haas]

18. Valtteri Bottas [Alfa Romeo]

19. Yuki Tsunoda [AlphaTauri]

20. Logan Sargeant [Williams]

How do F1 sprint shootouts work?

The 30-minute qualifying session is split into three finite windows which provides a dramatic prelude to the afternoon's short race.

The bottom five drivers are eliminated at the end of Q1, with a further five eliminated after Q2.

Then Q3 gives us a shootout between the remaining 10 drivers in the battle for positions at the front of the grid.

READ MORE: Ted's Notebook: Schedule, how to watch and catch up with hit Sky F1 show during Austin weekend