2024 United States Grand Prix standings:
- And eight! Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) won his 8th Formula Grand Prix this Sunday in Austin (Texas), his 3rd of the year after Monaco and Monza. The Monegasque performed flawlessly, taking the lead from the first corner (see below).
- Charles Leclerc then left Max Verstappen’s Red Bull well behind by around ten seconds before observing his only pit stop. On hard tires, the Ferrari did not weaken, setting the fastest lap in the race on several occasions.
- In trouble with his mechanics during the first stint (the engine weakened when exiting corners and a smell of gasoline emanated in the cockpit), Carlos Sainz let the storm pass to stay on the podium. The Madrilenian went from 3rd to 2nd place during the wave of pit stops, and maintained his rank, a good distance from his Scuderia teammate.
- The third step on the podium was the most exciting to follow. For a long time, it was held by pole sitter Max Verstappen. But the Batavian complained of ineffective hard tires and Lando Norris (McLaren) took the opportunity to make the connection. The Englishman and the Dutchman scuffled, but a penalty got the better of Norris’s 3rd place. Verstappen inherits 3rd position thanks to a 5-second penalty for overtaking beyond the track limits for the McLaren:
- From the start, tempers were heated. Starting 2nd, Max Verstappen dived inside the first turn, forcing Lando Norris (McLaren) to veer beyond the limits of the track. This aggressive attack benefited Charles Leclerc, who stole the orders! Behind, Norris came out 4th, behind Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. At the end of the peloton, Alex Albon (Williams) collided with Esteban Ocon (Alpine). The two men left 19th and 20th:
- The Safety Car was called onto the track for the first time in nine races (Canadian Grand Prix) to allow the Mercedes Lewis Hamilton to escape on the 3rd lap. The seven-time world champion lost the rear of his car in the penultimate corner, like his teammate George Russell on Saturday in qualifying. Too bad because he had moved up from 20th to 12th place.
- Able to score points during the first stint, Pierre Gasly (Alpine) disappeared from the chasing group following a completely botched pit-stop by the mechanics (7 seconds). The Normand finished 12th, while Esteban Ocon finished 18th. The latter set the best time at the very end of the event in order to prevent Williams, a rival team in the Manufacturers’ championship, from scoring this bonus point thanks to the excellent performance of Franco Colapinto (10th).
- For his return to F1 in place of Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson finished in a nice 9th position with Racing Bulls.
- On home soil, Haas placed a car in the points, that of Nico Hülkenberg. Starting from the pits, George Russell (Mercedes) saved the honor of the Silver Arrows with 6th place, behind a very discreet Oscar Piastri (McLaren).
- The next Grand Prix is scheduled for next weekend in Mexico (October 25-27).
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