An exciting race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas ultimately ended in predictable fashion, as Charles Leclerc’s hopes were dashed right from the start of the US Grand Prix on Sunday, October 22.
Having set the fastest time in qualifying, Scuderia Ferrari’s Leclerc started Sunday’s race in pole position, but lost the lead to Lando Norris almost as soon as the lights went out. A difficult drive ensued for the Monegasque, who temporarily returned to first place as the race ensued, but crossed the finish line in a frustrating sixth place.
Meanwhile, Verstappen started the race in sixth place and went on to win it behind the wheel of his Red Bull rocket ship, claiming his 50th race win in Austin. While the final result was predictable despite the starting order, the narrow margin between the Dutchman and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at the end of the race made a welcome change.
Unable to hold off a hard charging Hamilton, McLaren’s Norris completed the podium in third place, having led the pack in his papaya coloured car for much of the beginning of the GP. The second Scuderia, Carlos Sainz finished the race in fourth place, as Ferrari ordered Leclerc to let him past much to his frustration, which he made clearly known via the team radio.
Only Sergio Perez overtook Leclerc thereafter, leaving the Monegasque out of the top five places and looking ahead to the next GP, which will take place in Mexico at the colourful Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday, October 29.
Featured image courtesy of @ScuderiaFerrari on X
