AUSTIN, Texas — In a thrilling display at the Circuit of the Americas, Charles Leclerc delivered Ferrari its first victory at the United States Grand Prix since 2018, showcasing a strategic start and dominant performance throughout the race. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen of Red Bull solidified his lead in the Formula 1 championship standings by securing a third-place finish, just ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Norris found himself in a tough spot after receiving a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits while attempting to overtake Verstappen in the closing laps of the race. This decision was met with immediate complaints from Verstappen, who argued that Norris had also left the track during the maneuver. Their intense battle for the final podium position and essential championship points unfolded over several laps, with Verstappen holding firm against Norris’s advance.

The penalty ultimately proved costly for Norris, who finished in fourth place and lost significant points in the championship race. Consequently, Verstappen’s lead over Norris grew from 54 points to 57, with just five more Grand Prix races and two sprint events remaining in the season. Leclerc’s victory marked his third win this year, while Ferrari celebrated a successful 1-2 finish, with Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz following closely in second place. The last Ferrari driver to triumph at this circuit was Kimi Raikkonen in 2018.

As Leclerc and Sainz secured the top positions, an intense rivalry unfolded between Verstappen and Norris over the course of the final twelve laps, with pressures mounting. Verstappen had not tasted victory since June, and Norris had been gradually narrowing the gap in the championship standings as Red Bull’s performance fluctuated. However, despite finishing third, Verstappen managed to increase his lead by five additional points after triumphing in Saturday’s sprint event.

Norris departed the race feeling he had missed a crucial opportunity to make up ground, especially after earning pole position for the event. He and Verstappen lined up side by side at the start, but the pair’s contest into the first turn led to both cars running wide, giving Leclerc the chance to leap from fourth place all the way to the front. Norris contended that Verstappen had pushed him off the track at the race’s outset, igniting a battle that would define the day.