The United States Grand Prix in Austin delivered a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the best and worst of Formula 1. As the dust settles, here’s a look at the winners and losers from this weekend’s race.
Winners
1. Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc demonstrated exceptional skill, capitalizing on the early drama between title contenders Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to surge into the lead from P4 on the grid. This victory marked Leclerc’s third win of the season and eighth of his career, narrowing the gap to Norris in the drivers’ standings to just 22 points. Remarkably, this win continues a trend for Leclerc, who has now won twice in a row from a fourth-place start, having also triumphed in Monza last month.
2. Ferrari
Ferrari showcased their finest performance of the season with a commanding one-two finish, showcasing impressive tire management throughout the race. This marked Ferrari’s first one-two in the United States since the 2006 Indianapolis race and their third in a decade. Their strong showing also reduced the gap to Red Bull in the constructors’ championship to a mere eight points, with McLaren just 41 points ahead. The battle for constructors’ silverware, a title Ferrari hasn’t held since 2008, is heating up.
3. Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen returned to form after a challenging spell, securing a podium finish in third place. Although he couldn’t compete for victory, finishing 19.412 seconds behind Leclerc, he extended his championship lead for the first time since the Belgian Grand Prix. This podium marks a positive turnaround for Verstappen as he looks to regain momentum in the championship.
4. Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto put in a standout performance, scoring his second points finish in just four races for Williams. Despite a difficult start that saw him lose ground, Colapinto executed a successful one-stop strategy to reclaim positions and secure a crucial point. He was also in contention for the fastest lap until Esteban Ocon snatched it away in the closing laps.
5. Haas
Despite Kevin Magnussen finishing just outside the points in 11th, Haas still emerged with positives from their home race. With Nico Hülkenberg finishing eighth, this marked the team’s best-ever finish on home soil. Their collection of seven points has moved them above Red Bull into sixth in the constructors’ standings. And they’ve now scored in four consecutive races for the first time since 2018.
6. Liam Lawson
Making a remarkable return to F1, Liam Lawson faced challenges due to engine penalties that relegated him to the back of the grid. Nevertheless, he demonstrated strong pace and resilience, executing a one-stop strategy to finish ninth. His performance helped mitigate the losses for Red Bull in their ongoing battle with Haas for P6 in the constructors’ championship.
Losers
1. Lewis Hamilton
It was a weekend to forget for Lewis Hamilton, who faced an early exit from qualifying in Q1. His race was short-lived, ending just two laps in after he spun off into the gravel. This marked the first time Hamilton failed to finish a race in the United States, and it was his briefest race since last year’s Qatar Grand Prix.
2. Lando Norris
Despite securing a stunning pole position, Lando Norris’s race took a turn for the worse on the opening lap as he dropped to fourth. Although he showed good pace to challenge Verstappen late in the race, a penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track cost him a podium finish. Now, Norris trails Verstappen by 57 points with five races left in the season.
3. Kevin Magnussen
Magnussen started the weekend positively with a strong seventh in the Sprint but faced disappointment in the Grand Prix. Miscommunication during a late second stop ruined his chances of scoring points, highlighting the challenges faced by Haas despite their recent successes.
4. Pierre Gasly
Gasly enjoyed a strong qualifying session, matching Alpine’s best result of the season with a P7 start. However, a slow pit stop hindered his race, and he couldn’t replicate his earlier pace on hard tires, ultimately finishing outside the points.
5. Sauber
Sauber’s hopes for a points finish were dashed despite bringing an upgrade package to Austin. While Valtteri Bottas showed some competitive pace, both drivers failed to convert their potential into points, leaving them still pointless at the bottom of the standings.
As the teams regroup after an eventful weekend in Austin, the stage is set for an exhilarating continuation of the championship. With only a handful of races left, the competition remains fierce, and every point is crucial.
