The Dutch four-time world champion’s confidence in achieving a turnaround never seen in the history of F1 skyrocketed with this perfect weekend, in which he also took victory in Saturday’s sprint race
The Dutchman (Red Bull) won with authority the United States Grand Prix, held this Sunday (19) at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin (Texas). Verstappen arrived ahead of the British (McLaren) and the Monegasque (Ferrari), who completed the podium. The Australian (McLaren) finished in fifth place and his lead in the World Championship continues to diminish in relation to Norris and Verstappen, who scored his third victory in the last four races.
The Dutch four-time world champion’s confidence in achieving a turnaround never seen in the history of F1 skyrocketed with this perfect weekend, in which he also took victory in Saturday’s sprint race. Verstappen remains third in the general classification, but reduced the gap to Norris to 26 points and 40 to Piastri.
“The opportunity is there, we just have to take advantage of it every weekend (…) It’s exciting,” said the Red Bull driver about the feat he wants to achieve in the last five stages of the season. Norris’ second place eased a disastrous weekend for McLaren, which on Saturday saw both its drivers abandon the sprint race in a first-lap accident.
This Sunday, Piastri gained just one position compared to sixth place on the grid. The Australian was unable to overcome veteran Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth, once again on the verge of the long-awaited podium for Ferrari. McLaren, which has been on a winning streak since the end of August, was a far cry from Verstappen’s performance, who led from start to finish in the Texas heat, with temperatures around 30°.
Norris and Leclerc fight to the end
The Dutchman, who was pole position, closed the door on Norris at the start, while Leclerc maneuvered around the outside and overtook the Briton in the first corner. On the seventh lap, Carlos Sainz tried to pass on the inside and hit the back of the car of Italian Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), who returned to the race in last place, while the Spaniard from Williams had to abandon.
Ahead, Norris launched several attacks on Leclerc until overtaking him on the 21st lap. The big beneficiary of the dispute was Verstappen, who increased his lead to more than ten seconds.
Norris once again lost second place to Leclerc after stopping to change tires on the 33rd lap.
The Ferrari driver was almost 20 laps ahead of the Brit, giving him more than two seconds of advantage.
Norris, however, found his rhythm in time and made his final move on Leclerc with four laps to go, as Verstappen advanced unchallenged to the finish line.
Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), who started 16th and was 13th after the crash between Sainz and Antonelli, finished in 18th position, ahead of only Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine) among the drivers who completed the race.
Result of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix:
1. Max Verstappen (HOL/Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
3. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes)
6. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
7. Yuki Tsunoda (JAP/Red Bull)
8. Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Sauber Ferrari)
9. Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas-Ferrari)
10. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
11. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
12. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
13. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes)
14. Alexander Albon (TAI/Williams-Mercedes)
15. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas-Ferrari)
16. Isack Hadjar (FRA/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
17. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine-Renault)
18. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber-Ferrari)
19. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
– Fastest lap of the race: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) 1:37.577 on the 34th lap (average speed: 123.115 km/h)
– Abandoned:
Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams-Mercedes): accident on the 8th lap
*With information from AFP
Published by Fernando Dias
