Hamilton crashes out at the start as Verstappen finishes on the podium
It was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc making the most of a competitive Ferrari in Austin, as he picked up a much needed win for Ferrari at the United States Grand Prix 2024. It was a 1-2 for the Scuderia as Carlos Sainz finished second ahead of Max Verstappen who held on for the final podium place, finishing just ahead of his championship rival, Lando Norris with the McLaren driven being hit with a late-penalty that dropped him out of the podium places in a thrilling finish to the race.
Lando Norris got things underway from pole as the lights went out but it was Leclerc with an incredible start making the most of Norris’ defence to keep Verstappen at bay, to take the lead instantly from fourth place while Norris was overtaken by Verstappen and the other Ferrari of Sainz as well in the opening few corners. Further down the grid, Lewis Hamilton, who had a horror qualifying, moved up five places from P17 to P12. His bright start didn’t last long as on lap three he went off the track into the gravel which ended his race and brought out the Safety Car. Lap 6 saw the Safety Car come in as Leclerc and Verstappen got things going once again with Liam Lawson was flying on his return to Formula One, moving to P12 from P19. Lawson continued his upward movement, moving up to P11 on lap 12, moving past Fernando Alonso.
Norris, who was chasing Verstappen got past him as the Dutchman came in on lap 26, with the race leader Leclerc coming in the next lap with Sainz and the McLarens being the only ones yet to pit at the time. Norris eventually came in on lap 32 with Piastri coming in the next lap. Norris rejoined in fifth and was out to chase the leaders once again. Following the stops, it was Leclerc and Sainz leading from Verstappen with Leclerc flying behind him on the new set.
With just over ten laps to go, it was Norris in the DRS zone of Verstappen, pressurising the Dutchman and after being right on the gearbox of Verstappen for about 10 laps, it was Norris getting past the Red Bull driver on lap 53, at turn 12, albeit off track and in a controversial way which was immediately contested by Verstappen. While Verstappen lost a place to Norris, his teammate Sergio Pérez moved up to P7, getting past George Russell on lap 54 before Russell retook the place on the last lap at turn 5. Leclerc meanwhile up ahead, breezed to a comfortable win, facing little resistance from his teammate to pick up a crucial win for his championship hopes as well. It was also Ferrari’s first 1-2 finish in 18 years!
Norris meanwhile was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, which put Verstappen back in the podium place and increased his championship lead. Norris’ penalty dropped him to P4, just a second ahead of his teammate while Russell, Sergio Pérez, Nico Hülkenberg, Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto rounded out the points places. Verstappen’s third place finish along with the Sprint victory this weekend keeps him 57 points clear of Norris while Leclerc has slowly crept up behind the McLaren driver and is now 22 points behind Norris. McLaren, though, keep their lead in the Constructors’ championship, holding a 39 point lead over Red Bull while Ferrari’s 1-2 puts them 30 points behind Red Bull.
Racing will resume next weekend, as the triple header continues with the grid moving to Mexico before the final race of the triple header finishes at Brazil.
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