Ferrari beat Verstappen at the USA Grand Prix

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz scored a one-two win for Ferrari at the USA Grand Prix in Austin, securing Ferrari's fourth win of the 2024 Formula 1 season. For Leclerc, it was a third win after Monaco and Monza and was never in danger after the start. (Get full race results here!)

Championship leader Max Verstappen extended his championship lead in the Red Bull to third place at the Circuit of the Americas. But it only came in third place as Lando Norris received a five-second penalty for an overtaking maneuver against Verstappen. (New World Cup Interim Results can be found here!)

The decisive moment came just before the end of the USA Grand Prix: Norris wanted to pass Verstappen on the outside of Turn 12 on the back straight, but Verstappen didn't give him room there. So Norris also had to pass through the run-off zone. The stewards deemed this “overtaking on the race track” and Norris was penalised, so he crossed the finish line in third place on the track but fell back behind Verstappen.

In the title:
Result: USA Grand Prix in Austin
Facts: Statistics on Race
Update: Interim World Championship standings for drivers
Update: Interim World Cup standings for Constructors
Photos: Driving Pictures from Austin
Ticker: Paddock Live with Ruben Zimmerman
Stream: Analysis Live on YouTube on October 21, 2024 at 3 AM

What happened in the beginning?

After the start, Max Verstappen positioned himself on the inside next to Lando Norris and turned late in the first corner. Both World Cup contenders were sent wide, with Verstappen pushing Norris onto the curb on the right. This opened up a gap on the left for Charles Leclerc, who came from P4 to lead the race ahead of Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Norris.

Norris later complained over the radio: “Max has no intention of making the corner.” However, the Sports Commissioners did not conduct any investigation.

In a separate incident, Alexander Alban spun Esteban Ogan in front of him, causing him to fall to the back of the field. The stewards deemed the contact a racing incident and did not issue a penalty.

When is the Grand Prix decided?

In the beginning. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc took the lead into Turn 1 and then built a solid gap of several seconds over Max Verstappen. He set the pace in the race from the start and was never in danger from his pursuers.

What is the strategy for success?

Charles Leclerc made his only pit stop on lap 27, switching from medium to hard. Most drivers follow suit and change tires once. Get details on pit strategies for the 2024 USA Grand Prix here!

Why was the safety car on the track?

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton flew into the gravel trap at 19 on the second lap of the race, the same place his team-mate George Russell crashed in qualifying – and the departure was very similar.

For the first time since the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, race management called the safety car onto the track to remove the car. The safety car phase lasted three laps. On the restart, the front row held steady and Leclerc gradually pulled away from Verstappen over the following laps.

What was George Russell punished for?

While attempting to overtake at Turn 12, George Russell pushed Valtteri Bottas over the right-hand curb. The stewards deemed this “pushing” and fined Russell five seconds. Russ couldn't believe it. When he asked about it on the radio, he simply said: “Please what?”

Then Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff came on the radio and said: “This penalty is an absolute joke.”

What was Pierre Casely punished for?

Pierre Gasly passed Alexander Alban at 15, but derailed in the process. The stewards deemed this an unfair advantage by leaving the track and imposed a five-second time penalty.

Why was Yuki Tsunoda punished?

Yuki Tsunoda received a five-second time penalty when trying to overtake Alexander Alban because, according to the stewards, he pushed Alban in turn 12.