The checkered flag waves to mark the end of the United States GP. The winner on American soil is Charles Leclerc. But the Ferrari party doesn't end here, because Carlos Sainz initials the Red doublet. Closes the podium Max Verstappen who wins the fight with Lando Norris (fourth). So let's get into the heart of the action on the track.
Masterful start by Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen outwitted.
At the start Norris gets away well, but Verstappen tries to attack on the McLarenThe two are wide, and then he takes advantage of it Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque scores both, with his partner Carlos Sainz passing Lando. The #4 is now in fourth, while Verstappen is in second. The #55 Ferrari is very close to the #1 Red Bull, but a mistake by Lewis Hamilton at turn 19 freezes all positions: it's the Safety Car. Between laps 5 and 6 the safety car comes back in, with Leclerc holding onto Max. The Monegasque seems to be able to pull away, while the battle is once again between Sainz and Verstappen. However, he seems to have a problem that distances him from the reigning world champion. Fear that immediately returns to Ferrari, with the #55 who returns to push. Up front Leclerc hammers and puts almost 4 seconds on Max.
Sainz stops, Verstappen doesn't and he's virtually ahead
Everything proceeds normally until lap 21. Behind, the comebacks of Russell e Perez, respectively in eighth and sixth position. The first to stop is Carlos Sainz who, with this undercut, is sure to stay ahead of Verstappen. His teammate thus falls prey to this strategy Charles Leclerc, who explicitly asked not to be put under pressure by the other Red. The advantage over Red Bull increases to more than 10 seconds, with McLaren appearing to have come back to life a bit thanks to the dismantling of the graining. Max stops on lap 25, while Norris he was starting to recover something. He goes out behind Carlos, and on the next lap Leclerc stops and goes out immediately behind Oscar piastri. At the moment it's 1-2 McLaren, but virtually it's 1-2 Ferrari. Norris lights up a fuchsia and seems to push.
Pit stop for the two McLarens, both behind Max. In front the two Reds
The strategy of the two drivers of the English team is clear: to have a big difference in tyres compared to the others. On lap 32 he therefore comes back in Lando Norris, followed by the next step Oscar piastri. According to the data of papaya engineers, these will have approximately 2 seconds ahead of the two Ferraris and Max. Meanwhile, the #16 and #55 cars make up the current Red one-two. Norris records the fastest lap, with Leclerc taking it away from him and the British driver lowering it even more. From lap 40 onwards, one fast lap after another begins to be recorded. First Leclerc with 37.8, then Sainz with 37.7. No thought goes to the tires anymore, but only to to push. If Charles has a decent lead over Carlos, Verstappen has no choice but to do anything to keep Norris behind. Lap 45, Lando has DRS on Max who will have a first real blow in turn 12. However, it is not as easy as it seems, because the Dutchman defends himself like a lion and tries to keep the Briton behind. The decisive attack comes on lap 52. Norris passes from the outside, but Max doesn't accept it and makes a crazy braking move. They both go out, with the first passing the second. The whole thing is under investigation by the stewards.
Ferrari party: Leclerc wins, it's a one-two for the Reds. Verstappen takes the podium
The Marshalls have decided, they are 5 second penalty for Lando Norris. The podium is therefore once again Max Verstappen. But the party is ahead, because the one to triumph is Charles Leclerc, Followed by Carlos Sainz. It is therefore one-two for Ferrari, which was missing in Austin from 2006. Fifth position for Oscar piastri, Followed by Sergio Perez. Eighth position for Nico Hulkenberg, but the surprises are behind. In fact, both rookies are in the points, Liam Lawson. e Franco Colapinto.
