The reigning world champion edged out Charles Leclerc by just 0.029 seconds, with Carlos Sainz in third in what was a strong performance from Ferrari.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez was fourth — although he will start 13th on the grid after being punished for exceeding track limits — while there was further joy for some of the home fans at the Red Bull ring as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell each crashed out in Q3.
Russell ended up in fourth after Perez’s sanction, but seven-time champion Hamilton will start the Sprint in ninth.
Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen, Mick Schumacher and Fernando Alonso also secured top-10 places.
Hamilton, who qualified fifth at Silverstone before claiming a superb third place in the race, had looked on course to challenge for pole position before sliding off into the gravel after losing control of the back end.
Red Bull fans in the crowd cheered as the Mercedes smashed sideways into the barriers.
Things were soon to get worse for Mercedes as George Russell, who was fifth fastest with around 2:40 left of Q3 and gunning for Perez’s time, spun off the circuit in sector three.
Austrian Grand Prix 2022: Q3 results
*Perez had his Q3 times cancelled for exceeding track limits
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