US GP: Max Verstappen wins the Sprint Race

Max Verstappen wins the Sprint Race at the US Grand Prix, taking the chequered flag 3.8s ahead of Sainz, with Norris securing third place just ahead of Leclerc.

Max Verstappen
Photo: Motorsport Images

Can we say that Max Verstappen and Red Bull are back? It might be too early to be certain, but there seems to be a significant turnaround for Red Bull, sending a clear message to their rivals. The three-time world champion was incredibly consistent today, like a metronome: absolutely flawless. On the American circuit, the Dutchman regained the pace that had been missing in the last rounds, starting from pole position and firmly maintaining the lead.

We witnessed what was undoubtedly the most thrilling Sprint Race since this format was introduced in Formula One. Numerous battles until the very last lap kept us on the edge of our seats.

Carlos Sainz finished in second place after a fantastic performance. Starting from fifth, the Spaniard showcased a series of overtakes. First, he was engaged in a long and fierce - but fair - battle with Charles Leclerc. The two Ferrari drivers fought wheel-to-wheel with overtakes and counter-overtakes until Sainz came out on top. After that, Sainz passed George Russell with relative ease, moving into third. In the final moments of the race, he also overtook Lando Norris, who had a lock-up in Turn 1, allowing him to slip by.

Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris
Photo: Motorsport Images

Lando Norris finished the Sprint in third place. His session was filled with ups and downs. At the start, he gained two positions - on Leclerc and Russell - thanks to a great start, immediately setting his sights on his title rival, Max Verstappen. In the early laps, Norris had DRS on the Dutch driver, suggesting he could keep pace and possibly overtake him. However, Verstappen soon increased the gap, while Norris found himself battling George Russell. This fight cost him valuable time, but it soon came to an end, as the Mercedes driver struggled with tire wear.

The worst moment for the McLaren driver came when Carlos Sainz overtook him due to a lock-up in Turn 1, bringing Leclerc closer as well. In the final lap, Norris locked up again under pressure from the Monegasque, and the two almost collided at Turn 15. Leclerc was surprised by Norris’s early braking, but he managed to avoid contact. In the end, Norris held his position, but was investigated by the FIA for "driving erratically" during the final lap. The stewards, though, decided to take no further action on the investigation.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and sixth, respectively, struggling with tire management as their tires were quite worn by the final stages. The two Haas drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, claimed the last three points available, finishing in seventh and eighth place. Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri, who didn't shine in qualifying yesterday and failed to deliver strong performances today, ended up ninth and tenth, without scoring any points. The Australian driver also received a 5-second penalty for forcing Pierre Gasly off track, but he managed to maintain his position nonetheless.

Sprint Race results 
P1) Max Verstappen 
P2) Carlos Sainz +3.882
P3) Lando Norris +6.240
P4) Charles Leclerc +6.956
P5) George Russell +15.766
P6) Lewis Hamilton +18.724
P7) Kevin Magnussen +25.161
P8) Nico Hülkenberg +26.588
P9) Sergio Perez +29.950
P10) Oscar Piastri +37.059