VERSTAPPEN DOMINATES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX AS NORRIS BEATS LECLERC FOR SECOND PLACE
Max Verstappen took a clear and confident win at the United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver started from pole position and stayed in control for almost the whole race. Behind him, Lando Norris finished second after a strong battle with Charles Leclerc, who ended up third.
The race at the Circuit of The Americas came after two busy days, a dramatic Sprint on Saturday and a tight Qualifying session. Verstappen earned his 47th career pole, with Norris starting beside him. Championship leader Oscar Piastri had a tougher time and began in sixth place.
Before the start, Lance Stroll was pushed back to 19th after a penalty for hitting Esteban Ocon during the Sprint. Isack Hadjar started last after crashing in Q1. Most drivers began the 56-lap race on medium tyres, except Leclerc, Bortoleto, and Stroll, who chose softs, and Ocon, Albon, and Hadjar, who went for hards.
When the lights went out, Verstappen made a perfect start and kept the lead. Leclerc passed Norris at Turn 1 to take second place. Behind them, Hamilton climbed to fourth, and Piastri moved up to fifth. There was a small collision at the back between Albon and Bortoleto, but both continued. Yuki Tsunoda gained four places to ninth, and Verstappen quickly built a three-second lead by Lap 5.
Leclerc couldn’t keep up and soon had Norris right behind him. After several attempts, Norris finally passed Leclerc on Lap 21 at Turn 12. Verstappen, meanwhile, was already 11 seconds ahead.
On Lap 7, there had been contact between Sainz and Antonelli, sending Antonelli spinning and forcing Sainz to retire. The Virtual Safety Car came out briefly while marshals cleared the track.
As the race went on, tyre wear became a big concern. Verstappen and Norris both complained about their front tyres. Many drivers delayed their first pit stops, planning to finish the race on one stop. Norris and Hamilton changed tyres around Lap 30, with Verstappen stopping one lap later but keeping his lead easily.
After all pit stops, Verstappen led from Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, and Russell. Behind them, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Bearman, and Alonso completed the top 10. Bearman spun after contact with Tsunoda, but both continued.
In the final laps, Norris began to close in on Leclerc again. With seven laps to go, he made a clean pass to retake second place. Leclerc struggled with grip, and Hamilton stayed safely in fourth, though he had a small scare with a suspected puncture on the last lap.
At the end, Verstappen crossed the finish line almost eight seconds ahead of Norris. Leclerc completed the podium, followed by Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Bearman, and Alonso in the points.
Further back, Antonelli fought back to 13th after his early spin, while Stroll, Albon, Ocon, Hadjar, Colapinto, Bortoleto, and Gasly filled the rest of the order. Sainz was the only driver who didn’t finish.
Next up, Formula 1 moves south for the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 24–26, the second race in this North American double-header.
Share this content:
