'What the **** was that': Lawson to start 15th for US GP sprint race

In a time where his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, Liam Lawson will start from 15th for the United States Grand Prix sprint race after his lap time was deleted.

The Kiwi ran wide around turn 19 to avoid contact with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and subsequently had his lap time deleted for exceeding track limits, knocking him out of SQ2.

"What the **** was that?!" Lawson exclaimed over the team radio.

"The car was sitting in the middle of the **** road!"

Lawson, who is currently in a battle to secure his race seat for 2026, was looking to notch a top 10 sprint qualifying spot around Austin's Circuit of the Americas.

"It's frustrating, because the car was very fast," Lawson said post-qualifying.

"It's positive for tomorrow, but it's going to be a tough sprint race from where we are."

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The kiwi will have to battle his way into the top eight during tomorrow's 19-lap sprint race (6:30am NZT).

Max Verstappen secured sprint pole position ahead of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who line up second and third respectively.