United States GP - Race

Hello @Stratastic
Oct 20, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jan 30

F1 cars on track with an overlay of the United States GP circuit outline.

Pirelli United States GP

Race

October 20, 2024

Charles Leclerc triumphed at the U.S. Grand Prix, leading Ferrari to a stunning 1-2 finish, while Max Verstappen scraped into third place following a late penalty for Lando Norris.

Norris had engaged in a fierce battle with Verstappen, overtaking him for third late in the race. However, during the maneuver, he exceeded track limits, resulting in a five-second penalty that pushed him down to fourth place in the final standings. This crucial penalty allowed Verstappen to inherit the third position, extending his lead in the championship to 57 points with five regular races and two sprint races remaining.

Verstappen Reflects on a Tough Race

After the race, Verstappen acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, "It was a tough battle; I tried everything I could to keep him behind." He expressed satisfaction with securing a podium finish, describing it as "a very good result." On the controversial penalty affecting Norris, he remarked, "I have my opinion... I let the stewards do their thing. For us, it was a race we learned a lot from."

Ferrari Shines Again

Ferrari celebrated their second 1-2 finish of the season, following their success in Australia, with Carlos Sainz taking second place. Sainz emphasized the significance of the result, saying, "It puts us exactly where we want to be in the fight for the constructors' now." Leclerc's victory, his third of the season following wins in Monaco and Monza, ended Verstappen's streak of three consecutive wins at the Circuit of the Americas.

Leclerc expressed his delight, stating, "I’m really happy with today, a one-two for the team; we couldn’t have dreamed for better." He highlighted the pivotal moment at Turn 1, noting, "It was a really good Turn 1... we had a really good launch, and I knew it was going to be very tight." Leclerc remains focused on the championship, adding, "We are still targeting the title, and it’s a long way to go, but a good start to this triple header."

Notable Performances and Incidents

McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished fifth, while Mercedes' George Russell came in sixth. Sergio Perez managed a seventh-place finish for Red Bull. Notably, Nico Hulkenberg secured valuable points for U.S.-owned Haas by finishing eighth, and Liam Lawson made an impressive return, clinching ninth despite starting at the back of the grid. Rookie Franco Colapinto also shone for Williams, earning the final point in tenth.

The race saw the return of the safety car after a long absence, triggered by a spin from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on lap two, which left his Mercedes stranded in the gravel at Turn 19. Hamilton's retirement capped a frustrating 24 hours for the Briton, who had qualified only 19th at a track he usually excels on.

Esteban Ocon set the fastest lap for Alpine but ended the race in 18th place, missing out on the bonus point.

Looking Ahead

As the F1 circus moves on, Leclerc’s victory and Ferrari’s strong performance set an exciting tone for the upcoming races. With the championship battle still very much alive, all eyes will be on the next round of the triple-header. Can Leclerc continue his winning momentum, or will Verstappen rebound? Fans can expect thrilling action as the season approaches its climax!