United States Grand Prix – Sprint: Max Verstappen confirms, Lando Norris limits the damage

He had announced it, he did it: disappointed with his fourth place in the Sprint Qualifying, Lando Norris had declared that there were only a few cars to overtake his rival for the title, Max Verstappen. This was the case right after the first corner when the Briton got the better of George Russell and Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque enlivened the start of the race with first overtaking exchanges with George Russell before the battle began with his own teammate, Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard eventually took the lead on the fifth lap.

Five laps later, the future Williams driver had caught up with George Russell’s Mercedes, before taking the lead. He had to deal with a completely worn out left front tire and could only offer little resistance to Charles Leclerc.

Once rid of the Mercedes, the two Ferrari drivers caught up with Lando Norris, unable to threaten Max Verstappen throughout the race. But Carlos Sainz was able to push him into a mistake at the braking point of the first corner on the final lap, which relegated Lando Norris to third place. He almost even lost the third place because he had to fiercely defend himself against the Monegasque.

Behind, the struggle was also intense between the two Haas and Yuki Tsunoda. While Nico Hülkenberg was the highest qualified, he made a lackluster start and so it was Kevin Magnussen who emerged in seventh position. For a time overtaken by the Japanese, the German eventually regained the precious eighth place, synonymous with an additional point. This proves crucial for the Constructors’ championship as with these three additional points, Haas has regained sixth place, ahead of Racing Bulls.

As for Oscar Piastri, only 16th on the grid, he attempted a desperate comeback towards the points. As often, aggression was rewarded with a five-second penalty for pushing Pierre Gasly’s Alpine outside track limits. In the end, he was classified tenth.

From our special correspondent in Austin.