Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the sprint race at the United States Grand Prix on Saturday, securing his first victory in almost four months.
Verstappen stopped McLaren’s Lando Norris from eating into his Formula 1 championship lead.
Norris kept Verstappen in sight for 18 of 19 laps at the Circuit of the Americas, after moving from fourth to second from the start.
Norris, however, made a costly error in the first corner of the final lap, allowing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to snatch second place from him.
Finishing third instead of second cost Norris a crucial point in the title race.
He is now 54 points behind Verstappen, with six Grands Prix and two sprint races remaining this year.
Verstappen is seeking his fourth consecutive title. He started Saturday on pole position and was never threatened for first place. He won by almost four seconds.
“A bit like old times,” Verstappen said.
Qualifying for Sunday’s regular race takes place later Saturday.
Verstappen has won the United States Grand Prix for the last three years. He hasn’t started in pole position since 2021.
The sprint victory should renew Red Bull’s confidence in a car described as “uncontrollable” or “monster” by Verstappen this season.
Once dominant, Verstappen had not claimed a victory since the Austrian Grand Prix sprint race in June.
His last victory in a Grand Prix dates back to a week earlier, in Spain.
Norris has achieved two victories and three other podiums since that time. McLaren has also overtaken Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
Norris suggested it would be difficult to compete with Verstappen and the Scuderia on Sunday.
“I did my best,” commented Norris after the sprint race. I don’t think we have the pace (to fight with) Max and the Ferraris. »
Sprint ranking
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
2. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari)
3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)
4. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
5. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
6. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)
7. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari)
8. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari)
9. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull)
10. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes)
11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
12. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Williams-Mercedes)
13. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
14. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
15. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault)
16. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull)
17. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes)
18. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes)
19. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari)
20. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari)
