Charles Leclerc secured a commanding victory for Ferrari at the United States Grand Prix on Sunday, leading teammate Carlos Sainz to a remarkable one-two finish. Leclerc finished the race 8.562 seconds ahead of Sainz, while Max Verstappen, who initially crossed the line in third, was ultimately classified in that position due to a five-second penalty imposed on Lando Norris. Norris had originally finished third but was penalized for gaining an advantage by leaving the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen during the race's final laps, resulting in a drop to fourth.
Verstappen's performance allowed him to extend his lead in the drivers' championship to 57 points over Norris, with only five races remaining this season. The race was notable for its intense competition and strategic manoeuvres, particularly in the final laps, where Leclerc's strong performance stood out. Meanwhile, Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri finished fifth, followed by George Russell of Mercedes, who started from the pit lane but managed to secure sixth place.
For Leclerc, this victory marks his first in the United States, his third win of the season, and the eighth of his career. He expressed his joy at the result, noting the challenges he faced earlier in the weekend. "It wasn't an easy weekend up to now; I have been struggling with the feeling with the car, but I had confidence in the race," Leclerc said. "I am really happy with today, a 1-2 for the team; we couldn't have dreamed for better."
Verstappen acknowledged the difficulties he faced during the race, stating that he lacked the pace to mount a serious challenge for the lead. He commented on the competitive nature of the race, particularly during his battle with Norris. As for Norris, his early lead was compromised by a critical miscalculation that allowed Leclerc to snatch the lead after they both went wide in Turn One. Despite the setback, Norris remained optimistic about his performance and experience gained from the challenging final rounds.
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