23:20 – A thrilling race, the summary of the Grand Prix
After a four-week break, Formula 1 returned this weekend in Austin (United States). After a sprint, today’s race was particularly anticipated. With a dream front row made up of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, the first two classifications overall, Formula 1 fans were treated to a thrilling start, punctuated by a long climb and a positive height difference of 40 meters. The start of the race kept its promises. Following a fight between the two favorites, it was ultimately Charles Leclerc who came out on top by being cunning. The Monegasque grabbed first place to take off quite quickly but the start of the race was marked by Lewis Hamilton going off the track. At turn 19, the Briton ended his race in the gravel trap, causing the Safety Car to enter the track.
As soon as the Grand Prix resumed, Charles Leclerc widened the gap, closely followed by his Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz. Both Ferrari drivers built a very intelligent race around a quick pit stop. The Scuderia was never worried during the 56 laps but the fight for third place raged on. After a stop, Lando Norris tried “all out” to overtake Max Verstappen during the last ten laps. With three laps to go, the McLaren driver succeeded by going beyond the limits of the outside corner. Finally penalized, Lando Norris finished 4th and Verstappen, 3rd. Note the excellent performance of the young drivers, Liam Lawson (9th) and Franco Colapinto (10th). The Ferrari double completely revives the constructors’ ranking where 48 points separate three teams at the top. Among the drivers, Max Verstappen consolidates his leadership position ahead of Norris and Leclerc.
23:15 – 40th podium
This Sunday evening, Charles Leclerc won the 40th podium of his Formula 1 career and won his 8th Grand Prix.
23:10 – Close ranking among manufacturers
With 544 points, McLaren Mercedes dominates the constructors’ standings ahead of Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. 48 points separate the three teams. The fight for the world championship title promises to be thrilling at the end of the championship:
- McLaren Mercedes: 544 points
- Red Bull Racing: 504 points
- Ferrari: 496 points
23:05 – Leclerc gets closer, update on the ranking
With his victory, Charles Leclerc now has 275 points. Leader of the driver standings, Max Verstappen has 354 points. Here are the top 5:
- Max Verstappen: 354 points
- Lando Norris: 297 points
- Charles Leclerc: 275 points
- Oscar Piastri: 247 points
- Carlos Sainz: 215 points
23:00 – Leclerc: “Aim for the title”
Charles Leclerc on Canal+: “It wasn’t an easy weekend. I was worried seeing the others progress, but today it was the opposite. The pace of the car today was been very good, thank you very much to the engineers who have worked incredibly hard over the last few months. It seems to be paying off well. Now we continue to aim for the title.
22:55 – Sainz: “An improvement”
Carlos Sainz at the microphone of Canal +: “Congratulations to the whole team. We were very fast all weekend. We manage the tires well on the long stints in the race, it’s an improvement compared to the “last year. This year we can attack, overtake, it’s very appreciable.”
22:50 – Verstappen: “I have my opinion”
Max Verstappen speaking to Canal+: “It was difficult for me, I didn’t have the rhythm to attack. I also suffered when braking, so defending was difficult. Being on the podium is a good result. The battle with Lando? I have my opinion on what happened, but I don’t have the right to say it. The commissioners are doing their job.”
22:45 – A controversial 3rd place
This 3rd place risks causing controversy. For an illegal move where he crossed the limit of the outside turn, Lando Norris was ultimately penalized five seconds. Max Verstappen finished 3rd.
22:42 – Verstappen on the podium
If Lando Norris crossed the finish line in 3rd place, Max Verstappen took advantage of the penalty to complete the podium.
22:41 – Ferrari double
Demonstration of the Ferraris taking a double this Sunday evening in Austin. Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line in first position ahead of Carlos Sainz.
22:39 – Penalty for Norris!
The results of the investigation have just been released! Lando Norris is penalized five seconds. The Briton will finish in fourth place behind Max Verstappen.
22:35 – Investigation open
After Lando Norris overtook Max Verstappen, an investigation has just been opened.
22:32 – It’s happening!
Outside the limits of the circuit, Lando Norris finally overtook Max Verstappen who pushed him to the outside.
22:30 – Still not…
Lap after lap, Max Verstappen holds on to Norris. The battle between the drivers punctuates this end of the race and the five missing laps.