Source – Formila1.com
As title challenger Lando Norris lost P2 to Carlos Sainz in the closing laps, Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in the Sprint at the US Grand Prix. The Dutchman secured the win from pole position to increase his point total.
Max Verstappen once again demonstrated his dominance in Formula 1, claiming victory in the Sprint race after a commanding drive from pole position. From the moment the lights went out, it was clear that the Red Bull ace was in a league of his own, maintaining his composure and pace at the front of the pack. But the true story of the race wasn’t just Verstappen’s serene cruise to the finish—it was the intense battles happening right behind him, particularly the standout performance of Lando Norris.
Norris, starting from P4, launched off the line with a rocket-like start, putting himself ahead of both Ferraris and George Russell, settling into second place. It was a remarkable move from the McLaren driver, who had been critical of his own performance after a lackluster Sprint Qualifying session, where he deemed his lap “shocking.” Despite his self-criticism, Norris showed up when it mattered, muscling his way through the Ferrari sandwich in the opening moments and holding a strong P2 for much of the race. McLaren’s performance was particularly noteworthy given the recent surge in their form, which has seen them battling at the sharp end of the grid more consistently.
Behind Norris, the action was relentless. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were engaged in a fierce intra-team battle, with the Spaniard eventually getting the upper hand over his Monegasque teammate. Sainz, who had been running behind Norris and pushing his Ferrari to the limit, smelled blood when the McLaren began to show signs of tire wear. The inevitable happened when Norris locked up, allowing Sainz to snatch second place in the closing laps, much to the delight of the crowd. Leclerc, too, was menacing behind, pushing Norris all the way to the line, but in the end, the McLaren managed to hold on for the final podium spot.
While Verstappen was untroubled at the front, extending his lead to more than three seconds by the checkered flag, the mid-pack provided plenty of entertainment. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton both had solid outings for Mercedes, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Russell, after a strong showing in Sprint Qualifying, couldn’t maintain his early pace and eventually dropped back, particularly after being overtaken by Sainz and Leclerc in the second half of the race. Mercedes, still looking for the perfect balance in their car, were satisfied to score points but know they need to find more to challenge the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari consistently.
Meanwhile, Haas had a day to remember, with both of their drivers finishing in the points. Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line in seventh and eighth, a significant achievement for the American team in what has been a challenging season. Their performance was a testament to the improvements Haas has made in managing tire wear and extracting performance from their car in shorter Sprint race formats.
Sergio Perez, on the other hand, had a race to forget. After a poor Sprint Qualifying session, the Mexican driver struggled to make progress, locking up and battling for the lower points-paying positions. He ultimately finished in ninth, just outside the top eight that would have earned him points. Perez’s race was emblematic of his recent struggles, as he continues to face mounting pressure from within the Red Bull camp to deliver consistent results. His battle with Yuki Tsunoda and Oscar Piastri was particularly intense, but it was Piastri who eventually took P10 on the track, despite being hit with a five-second penalty for forcing Pierre Gasly off earlier in the race.
Speaking of Piastri, the young Australian continues to impress in his rookie season, fighting through the field from P16 to finish inside the top ten, though penalties meant he wouldn’t add to his points tally. The McLaren driver showed his resilience and racecraft, even if the result didn’t reflect the true potential of his drive.
As the Sprint race unfolded, one driver in particular seemed frustrated—Fernando Alonso. The two-time world champion had a frustrating afternoon, embroiled in a tense battle with AlphaTauri’s Liam Lawson. Over the radio, Alonso didn’t hold back, calling the AlphaTauri an “idiot,” as the two fought for positions well outside the points in what was a largely fruitless race for Aston Martin. His teammate, Lance Stroll, fared little better, finishing P13.
Further down the field, Williams made the bold decision to start Alex Albon from the pit lane after making specification changes to his car, but it didn’t yield the desired results. Albon struggled throughout the race after his earlier spin in Sprint Qualifying, finishing in 18th. Meanwhile, the Kick Sauber team had a dismal outing, with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas bringing up the rear. Bottas’s race ended prematurely, as his brakes caught fire and forced him to pull over on Lap 13. Zhou, while managing to complete the race, didn’t fare much better, finishing in 19th.
As Verstappen crossed the finish line, it marked his fourth Sprint win of the season, adding another trophy to his already expansive collection. The Dutchman remains unchallenged in his bid for a third consecutive world championship, and Red Bull’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down. However, the battles in the midfield provided plenty of drama and excitement, and with every race, it’s clear that McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are inching closer to the top step of the podium.
With the full race still ahead, the Sprint served as a tantalizing preview of the fierce competition that lies in wait. While Verstappen and Red Bull continue their march to glory, the fight behind them is far from settled, and the likes of Norris, Sainz, and Leclerc are ready to pounce at the first sign of weakness.
