Max Verstappen in Austin - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen reigns supreme in Austin as title fight really heats up now!

22:35, 19 Oct

Updated: 22:38, 19 Oct

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen takes victory ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc — here’s everything that went down at the United States Grand Prix!

Leclerc got off to a flying start, capitalising on the grip of the soft tyres to slip past Norris, who hesitated and lost out. Just behind, Hamilton pulled off a clean move on Russell to climb up the order.

Piastri also nailed the getaway, sweeping past Russell to break into the top five. The championship leader now has his sights set on teammate Norris and race leader Verstappen, who stayed in control through the opening laps.

Norris looks quicker than Leclerc despite the Ferrari running on softs. The Briton has closed in several times, threatening a move, but hasn’t yet managed to make it stick. Meanwhile, Verstappen continues to stretch his advantage — now up to three seconds — as he looks to break away at the front.

In the heat of the battle, Carlos Sainz tagged Kimi Antonelli’s left rear, spinning the Italian around and ruining his race — bringing out the Virtual Safety Car.

Max Verstappen driving the RB21 at COTA - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris sweeps past Leclerc and sets off in pursuit of Verstappen

On lap 21, after several attempts, the Briton finally made his move, taking advantage of Leclerc’s fading soft tyres to snatch second place. Norris now sets off after Verstappen — though the Red Bull sits six seconds up the road.

After a brief scrap with his teammate, Leclerc pitted on lap 23 for a set of mediums, rejoining in ninth place. Meanwhile, Hamilton stayed out on the same compound and began closing in on Norris in the battle for second.

Piastri came into the pits on lap 31, the second of the front-runners to stop, in what had been a quiet race so far for the Australian. He switched to softs to run them through to the end. The following lap, Hamilton also came in to protect his fourth place.

Norris vs Leclerc as Verstappen cruises to chequered flag

Norris, meanwhile, pitted on lap 33, rejoining well behind Leclerc and forced to overtake the Ferrari on track once again. Meanwhile, the race leader finally made his stop — the only one yet to pit. The Dutchman rejoined still out front on a set of softs to take him to the flag, maintaining a comfortable gap over the chasing pack.

With fresher tyres and a compound advantage, Norris closes back in on Leclerc just like before and manages to overtake him again on lap 51, reclaiming second place as the Monegasque concedes and has to settle for third.

Out front, it was never in doubt — Verstappen cruised to the chequered flag to claim a crucial victory in the title fight, capitalising on Piastri’s quiet run to fifth and clawing back another 15 points after the eight he gained yesterday. Leclerc and Norris complete the podium.

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