AUSTIN, Texas -- Max Verstappen beat McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position for Saturday's U.S. Grand Prix sprint race to continue inching up the heat in the title fight.

Verstappen's late lap for the shortened race was 0.071 seconds quicker than Norris, who trails teammate Piastri by 22 points in the championship fight. Verstappen is 63 points behind Piastri but has been inching closer since the summer break.

Although there are only eight points available from the sprint race on Saturday -- which is held before qualifying for Sunday's main event -- it will only serve to increase the pressure McLaren's drivers are feeling from the reigning champions.

Norris and Piastri came into the weekend following their clash at the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago. W

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