Charles Leclerc put Ferrari on pole position for Sunday's United States Grand Prix after Red Bull's triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen had a faster lap deleted for exceeding track limits and dropped to sixth on the grid.
McLaren's Lando Norris will join Leclerc on the front row, with Lewis Hamilton lining up third for Mercedes and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz fourth in a battle to beat dominant Red Bull for only the second time this year.
The pole was Leclerc's third of the season, and 21st of his career, but he was helped by Verstappen going fully over the white line through turn 19 on his way to lapping 0.005 faster on his final effort.
The Monegasque had been on provisional pole with a time of one minute 34.829 and improved that to 1:34.723 before Verstappen crossed the line in a swiftly deleted 1:34.718.
"I think as a team we did a great job. We know that in the Sprint weekend it's more important than ever to have a clean FP1 (practice), we did and we started with a strong basis thanks to the work the guys have done," said Leclerc.
"I was happy throughout qualifying. The last lap in Q3 there was a bit of mistakes here and there but I think it wasn't easy for everybody. So, really happy we are starting on pole for Sunday.
"I love this track, I love the vibe there is around this track in the city and in the country so it's great to be here."
Qualifying was held on Friday after one practice session because Saturday is devoted to a standalone points-scoring 100km sprint, the fifth of six on the calendar this season.
Red Bull and Verstappen, who will be hunting a 50th career win on Sunday at a track where the winner has always come from the front row, have already secured the constructors' and drivers' championships.
"It's very fine margins when you are pushing to the limit. Of course it's a bit unfortunate but it makes the Sunday also a bit more fun," said Verstappen, winner of 14 of the 17 races so far, of his error.
