F1 | Sainz takes pole, Verstappen second in U.S. Grand Prix 2022

The session was overshadowed by the news of Red Bull owner Mateschitz, aged 78, with Red Bull Racing on the cusp of their first title

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz took pole position for the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Saturday as Formula One mourned the death of Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz ahead of a race likely to crown his team champions.

Red Bull's double world champion Max Verstappen will join Spaniard Sainz on the front row for Sunday's race with the Dutch driver having a strong chance of taking a record-equalling 13th win of the season.

No driver has won at the Circuit of the Americas from outside the front row since the first grand prix was held there in 2012.

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"Pole position was a long time coming, after a few qualis of getting close but not quite getting there," said Sainz, who last took the top slot in Belgium at the end of August and now has a career total of three poles.

"I think for tomorrow Red Bull are still the favourites and they normally have the better race pace," he added. "But we are going to try to do everything we can to try to stay ahead tomorrow and win the race."

The session was overshadowed by news that Austrian billionaire Mateschitz, who owned two of the sport's 10 teams, had died at the age of 78 with Red Bull Racing on the cusp of their first title double since 2013.