Charles Leclerc has made history, as he gave Ferrari its first United States Grand Prix victory since 2018 with a commanding drive on Sunday. He clinched his third Formula One race of the season as he finished ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz. In a thrilling race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Monaco native Leclerc helped Ferrari finish first and second.
The Spaniard Sainz came in second, 8.562 seconds behind Leclerc’s winning time of 1:35:09.639. Leclerc has won the Monaco and Italian Grand Prix this year. Kimi Raikkonen had been the last Ferrari winner at the Circuit of the Americas in 2018. The French driver is third in the driver standings behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The latter tangled late in the race and received a significant penalty.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen extended his lead in the Formula One season title with a podium finish courtesy of a late penalty on McLaren’s Lando Norris. Verstappen finished third after Norris received a five-second penalty for leaving the track to pass Verstappen in the finishing laps. Norris’ pass took place after the two drivers had fought for the final podium slot. It was crucial championship points over several circuits.
Verstappen vs Norris duel overshadow Charles Leclerc’s victory
Did Verstappen vs Norris duel overshadow Charles Leclerc’s triumph? Not really as a champion will always be a champion no matter what has occurred with the other stars of racing. Verstappen stubbornly refuses to give up. Verstappen instantly grumbled when Norris passed him. The McLaren driver suggested Verstappen also exited the track. Norris needed to beat Verstappen by more than eight points per race weekend on average to have a credible chance of winning the championship.
The task has only become harder with five rounds remaining. Verstappen, the Netherlands’ three-time reigning F1 champion, leads the driver standings by 57 points over Norris of the United Kingdom, although his Grand Prix title drought has now lasted nine races. He won seven of the first ten races of the season.
