Ferrari Triumphs at the United States Grand Prix with Leclerc and Sainz on Podium

Ferrari Dominates at the United States Grand Prix

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AUSTIN, Texas — The Lone Star State witnessed a remarkable performance from Ferrari on Sunday as Charles Leclerc clinched victory at the United States Grand Prix, with his teammate Carlos Sainz securing second place. The race unfolded with intense competition and strategic maneuvers that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Lando Norris showcased his skill by utilizing tire strategy to navigate his way to a third-place finish, overtaking Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the race. However, the moment of his pass raised eyebrows, as Verstappen immediately voiced concerns over the radio, claiming Norris had gone beyond track limits during the overtaking maneuver.

Norris defended his position by arguing that he was ahead at the apex of the turn, which entitled him to the place. Ultimately, the stewards decided to issue a five-second time penalty to the McLaren driver for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage.” As the race progressed, Red Bull informed Verstappen that Norris had exceeded the threshold for track limit infringements. McLaren, on the other hand, assured Norris that he had only committed three infractions, leaving him one away from another penalty. Although the additional penalty never materialized, the initial five-second penalty cost Norris dearly, affecting his final standing.

The podium was rounded out by Leclerc, Sainz, and Verstappen, further extending Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship as the season approaches its climax.

The race kicked off with all 20 cars charging uphill towards Turn 1. Most drivers managed to avoid mishaps, but Esteban Ocon found himself spun around after contact with Alex Albon. Lando Norris, starting from pole position, was unable to maintain his lead as Verstappen expertly maneuvered his RB20 up the inside at the first corner, while Leclerc seized the opportunity to slip ahead of both drivers, taking control of the race.

Shortly after the start, fans witnessed the first safety car deployment in Formula One since the Canadian Grand Prix in June, following Lewis Hamilton’s unfortunate excursion into the gravel at Turn 19, which ended his race prematurely after qualifying in 19th position.

Once the safety car period concluded, the drivers settled into a rhythm, but not without drama. Around lap 14, Red Bull alerted Verstappen to a potential issue with his car, although the specifics remained unclear to viewers during the race. The team aimed to resolve the situation during his pit stop.

As the grand prix unfolded, it remained largely uneventful, though a few incidents did arise. Several drivers received black-and-white flags, and five-second time penalties were handed to Yuki Tsunoda, George Russell, and Pierre Gasly for various infractions. In the midst of it all, some of the lower midfield teams secured crucial points; Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg finished eighth, earning four points, while Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Williams’ Franco Colapinto finished ninth and tenth, respectively, contributing two and one point to their teams.

Norris’ penalty proved costly in the broader context of the drivers’ championship. Entering the race 54 points behind Verstappen with six races remaining, he exited Austin 57 points back, now closer to third-place Charles Leclerc, who sits 22 points behind the championship leader. The day’s results also tightened the constructors’ championship picture, with Ferrari now trailing Red Bull by just eight points for second place, and McLaren extending their lead in the championship standings by 40 points.

For more in-depth post-race analysis, visit our live coverage.

Top photos: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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