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Leclerc takes F1 pole for U.S. Grand Prix

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Leclerc takes F1 pole for U.S. Grand Prix


AUSTIN, TX — Charles Leclerc will start Sunday’s Formula One United States Grand Prix from pole position after Max Verstappen’s fastest time was deleted for breaching track limits. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Leclerc topped qualifying for Ferrari at the Circuit of The Americas by 0.130 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who will start second on the grid.
  • World champion Verstappen set a lap that was 0.005 seconds faster than Leclerc’s pole time, but went outside of track limits at the final corner.
  • It meant Verstappen’s lap time was deleted, dropping him to sixth place on the grid for Red Bull.

What Leclerc said

“As a team, we did a great job,” Leclerc said after taking pole. “We had a strong base thanks to the work the guys had done to prepare this weekend with the car straightaway feeling good. I was feeling good. I was happy throughout qualifying.

“The last lap in Q3, there were a (few) mistakes here and there, but I think it wasn’t easy for everybody. I’m really happy we’re starting on pole for Sunday.”

How track limits cost Verstappen

A mistake of millimeters proved costly for Max Verstappen in Austin.

At the penultimate corner, where the drivers carry a lot of speed through and tend to naturally run quite wide, Verstappen narrowly went too far over the white line. It meant 20 seconds after his time went to the top of the leaderboard, it was wiped and caused the order to shuffle, dropping him back to sixth by the time all the final laps had come through.

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“I knew in Turn 19 that it was going to be a close call,” Verstappen explained. “I had a little mistake in Turn 1 so I had to really push for it in the rest of the lap. It’s fine margins.”

Verstappen’s mistake should not take anything away from Leclerc’s performance. The Ferrari driver has established himself as a qualifying specialist — this is the 21st pole of his career; he has just five wins — capable of producing magic laps when it matters.

Leclerc built his pace up right through qualifying and gained almost half a second on his final lap, despite feeling he’d made a few mistakes on his final effort. Leclerc admitted in the press conference after qualifying: “It was a surprise for us. We definitely did not expect to be fighting for pole position here.”

Ferrari accidentally scared Leclerc when his engineer informed him Verstappen’s lap had been deleted. “I just had a heart attack, because my engineer told me ‘track limits…’, and then ‘…for Verstappen,’” Leclerc said, admitting he punched his steering wheel and helmet. “I heard ‘…for Verstappen’ and then I thought, OK, that’s better news for us!

“That’s why in the moment, I said please tell me the name before the track limits, just so I don’t get too excited.”

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With Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton for company on the uphill run to the tight first corner, Leclerc is braced for a close battle. Norris said he was surprised to have been so close to pole, believing a couple of errors may have cost him P1. In four of the last five years, the driver starting second in Austin has been leading at the end of the first lap.

After qualifying third for Mercedes, seven-time world champion Hamilton hailed Mercedes’ improvements in Austin thanks to the new floor that debuted on Friday. He said the car felt like it had “leveled up pretty much everywhere” and that it was “one of the first updates I have actually felt” in the past two years.

It also gave Hamilton hope of fighting for a record-extending seventh victory on American soil. “Maybe with the Red Bull out of the top three, maybe that makes it a better, closer battle,” Hamilton said. “Hopefully the three of us can have a tight battle.”

But given their dominance through 2023, Leclerc felt it was impossible to rule out Verstappen or Red Bull. “Red Bull is always very strong, and Max this year is always on it,” Leclerc said. “For sure, he will be a threat and up there tomorrow.”

Verstappen has won from as far back as ninth on the grid this year, and took this small setback in his stride.

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“Of course it’s a bit unfortunate,” he said. “But it makes the Sunday also a bit more fun.” — Luke Smith, senior Formula 1 writer

Provisional United States GP qualifying results

  1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
  2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
  3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
  4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
  5. George Russell (Mercedes)
  6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
  7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
  8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
  9. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull)
  10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
  11. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
  12. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
  13. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
  14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
  15. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri)
  16. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas)
  17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
  18. Alex Albon (Williams)
  19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
  20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

Required reading

(Photo: Clive Mason – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images)





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Austin, TX

Watch live: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivers the 2025 State of the State address

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Watch live: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivers the 2025 State of the State address


AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will deliver his 2025 State of the State address on Sunday, Feb. 2. Abbott is expected to discuss his main priorities for the 89th session of the Texas Legislature, which is underway until June 2.

One of Abbott’s biggest priorities is funding his school choice program, which would provide public tax dollars to most families to send their children to private schools. 

The issue has been important to most state Republicans for the past few Legislatures, but it has not passed the House of Representatives. Until now, Republicans from rural areas have joined with Democrats in opposition. They argue that vouchers will mainly benefit wealthier families in bigger cities that have more access to private schools while cutting funds available to public schools.

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In the 2024 election cycle, Abbott led successful primary challenges against many of the GOP legislators who have opposed his school choice plan in the past. Abbott has said he believes there are now enough Republican votes to pass his plan, but it has not yet faced a vote.

Budget proposals from both the House and Senate include money for the voucher plan. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the Senate will pass its version in the coming days.

Abbott is also expected to discuss property tax relief and border security

“This 89th Legislative Session brings new opportunities for the Texas Legislature and statewide leaders to strengthen our national and global position as the beacon of economic opportunity, prosperity, and individual liberty. From becoming the eighth-largest economy in the world to safeguarding the freedoms that make Texas great, we are working tirelessly to accomplish what seems impossible. Working together, we will continue to build a stronger Texas for generations,” Abbott said in a statement.  

How to watch the State of the State address

  • WhatGov. Greg Abbott delivers the 2025 State of the State address
  • Date: Sunday, Feb. 2
  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Location: Austin, Texas
  • Online stream: Live on the CBS News Texas YouTube channel in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device.

Note: Streaming plans are subject to change 

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Austin, TX

Austin man charged with murder in overnight shooting

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Austin man charged with murder in overnight shooting


An Austin man has been charged with murder following a deadly shooting Friday night.

What we know:

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Eusebio Noa Olvera, 23, was arrested around 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Travis County deputies said. He was charged with murder.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 14900 block of Chamberlain Court just before 10 p.m. Friday after getting calls reporting shots fired and people screaming.

Deputies said 53-year-old Ruel Saintmark Hill, from Austin, was found in the street with a gunshot wound.

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Hill later died at an area hospital.

After collecting evidence and witness statements, Olvera was arrested, deputies said.

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He was being held in the Travis County Jail.

What we don’t know:

Deputies have not released information on what led up to the shooting.

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The Source: Information in this article comes from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

Travis CountyCrime and Public Safety



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Austin, TX

United ISD in Austin advocating for education and anti-vaping efforts

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United ISD in Austin advocating for education and anti-vaping efforts


It’s been a busy week for United ISD’S management team.

District leaders traveled to Austin, Texas to advocate for the future of public education while also attending the Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter Conference.

Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz and UISD’s team visited the Texas State Capitol where they had productive discussions with key legislators, including Tracy King, Senior Advisor to the Speaker of the House; Rep. Don McLaughlin; and Rep. Brad Buckley, Chairman of the House Public Education Committee. They emphasized the critical needs of United ISD and public schools across Texas as school leaders continue to fight for the resources and policies that best serve students, educators and communities.

“Through open dialogue and legislative meetings like these, we can not only highlight what makes our district thrive but also explore alternative solutions to ensure continued progress and support for our students and staff at UISD,” Cruz said.

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Texas lawmakers listened attentively and sought opportunities to collaborate with the UISD management team, particularly on some key topics of concern.

At this year’s TASA Conference, UISD was one of the select few school district’s chosen to present during a breakout session. The presentation, United Against Vaping, focused on the proactive strategies the district is implementing to combat vaping.

“UISD continues to lead the way in addressing this critical issue,” said Rebecca Coss-Morales, Associate Superintendent of District Administration & Student Services. “We’re making a difference in our schools, and we are grateful for any opportunity to showcase our efforts and help other districts tackle this public health challenge among our youth.” 

Mike Morath, Commissioner of Education, also attended the conference, where he provided an update on the state of public education in the Lone Star State.



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