Max Verstappen in Austin - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen claims title chance 'is there', Norris and Leclerc enjoy tough battle

22:56, 19 Oct

Updated: 23:04, 19 Oct

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen reigns supreme in Austin, beating Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc — here’s what the top three had to say after the race.

"For sure the chance is there. We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end"

- Max Verstappen

Verstappen gains big on Piastri in the title fight

The Dutchman expressed great satisfaction with his victory after the race: "It was an unbelievable weekend for us. I knew the race would not be super straightforward.

"If you look at the whole race, the pace between myself and Lando was really close. In that first stint we made a difference, I could eek out a bit of a gap and that was the gap until the end. It wasn't easy to manage the tyres in both of the stints. We kept it in the lead and I'm incredibly proud of everyone to deliver a weekend like this."

Finally, on his championship chances, the Dutchman added: "For sure, the chance is there. We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end. We will try whatever we can. It's exciting and I'm very excited until the end."

Max Verstappen in the United States - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris settles with second place

Commenting on his second-place finish and the battle with Leclerc, the Brit said: "It was a good battle with Charles, he fought hard. It was tough."

He then added: "We did everything we could. I thought we had it in an easier way after we got ahead and we went much longer. I expected a slightly easier second attempt to get through but it wasn't the case. Charles drove a very good race, it was good fun. Good battles. So I had to take second, not a lot more we could have done today."

Leclerc brings Ferrari back on podium

Speaking after the race and his fight with Norris, Leclerc said: "I was a little bit worried when I saw I was the only car on the softs. I knew it was a risky move. What I had in mind was to use the softs and get free air. It was quite optimistic because we had two cars in front but we gained one position and that helped us a lot after the race.

"I'm very happy overall because it's been a tough second part of the year and to be back on the podium, after what was a difficult FP1 with a gearbox problem, we recovered well, so I'm happy."

Finally, on his battle with Norris, Leclerc added: "I enjoyed it. Unfortunately I lost out in the end, but I had fun in the car."

Verstappen dominates at COTA as title fight is on now

A win never in doubt and a race dominated from lights to flag — that perfectly sums up Verstappen’s performance at the United States Grand Prix. The Dutchman not only bagged 25 crucial points but also made the most of Oscar Piastri’s quiet race, with the Australian finishing only fifth after already dropping eight points in Saturday’s Sprint.

Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc completed the podium after a thrilling fight that lasted the entire race, with the Brit ultimately getting the better of the Ferrari driver on fresher tyres in the closing laps. Lewis Hamilton came home fourth after a strong drive of his own.

Read the full US GP report here!

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