Ferrari's Sainz clinches pole for USA Grand Prix in Austin

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz stormed to pole position at the USA Grand Prix in Austin on Saturday.

The Spaniard posted a fastest lap of 1min 34.356sec to lead a Ferrari one-two with team-mate Charles Leclerc second quickest.

"It was a lot of fun, very tricky with the gusts of wind," Sainz said after clinching the third pole position of his Formula One career.

"I managed to put together a good lap without mistakes. Pole position was a long time coming in the dry.

Red Bull's newly minted world champion Max Verstappen was third fastest in 1:34.448.

Saturday's qualifying got under way as Red Bull learned of the death of team founder Dietrick Mateschitz.

Verstappen admitted the Austrian billionaire's passing had cast a shadow over the day's racing.

"It has been hard news for everyone, for Red Bull and for the sport, and for me in general in my career and in my life," Verstappen said.

"It is a very tough day. We missed out in qualifying by a little bit, but there is a race tomorrow and we'll try to do it for him."