AUSTIN, Texas >> Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to an easy victory Saturday in a crash-filled United States Grand Prix sprint race, and then took pole position for the main event on a rough day for Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Piastri and Lando Norris, who are 1-2 in the title chase, crashed out on the first lap of the sprint race. After mechanics worked furiously to get their cars back together, Norris recovered to finish second to Verstappen in qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, but Piastri was a distant sixth.

The results of a scorching day at the Circuit of the Americas meant Piastri maintained his 22-point lead over his teammate in the title chase but could not extend it. And the McLaren mishap created a huge opportunity for Verstappen, who is now within 55 points of the lead with six grand prix and two sprint races left on the season.

Verstappen is within 33 points of Norris for second place.

“For us, a very strong result,” Verstappen said.

Verstappen is a four-time champion chasing the rarified air of a fifth. Piastri and Norris are both trying to win their first championship.

Verstappen is racing with a fury that has the paddock buzzing. He has won two of the last three races while McLaren has gone winless in that span. After an early-season slump that allowed the McLarens to pull away in the championship early, Red Bull’s resurgence has raised the temperature on the title chase.

McLaren’s miserable run

Verstappen started the sprint from pole with Norris second and Piastri third as the cars charged uphill into the sharp left turn of the first corner. With several cars bunched in traffic, Piastri cut into Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, and their bump sent Piastri crashing into Norris.

Norris’ car spun and a rear wheel was knocked off. Piastri’s car also bounced and suffered suspension damage. Race officials did not penalize any of the drivers involved.

“Neither of our drivers to blame there,” McLaren boss Zak Brown told Sky F1. “Some amateur hour driving. Some drivers up there at the front whacked our two guys.”

It was the second straight race with contact between the two McLarens. They nearly crashed in Singapore when Norris bumped tires with Piastri on the opening lap.

Piastri’s fading form

While Norris managed to scrap back into the front row, Piastri struggled to find any pace in qualifying. The Australian has just one podium finish in the last three races as his championship lead shrinks.

Verstappen and Norris could take another sizeable bite on Sunday. Norris suggested Verstappen may be too fast to beat in the race, but reeling in his teammate and championship leader is the bigger goal.

The crash in the sprint left Sunday as a great unknown, Norris said.

“We’ve not done more than three laps in a row and,” Norris said. “I have no idea if it will be amazing (or) terrible. We were hoping to learn a lot today.”