Ferrari secures dominant one-two finish in Austin
Charles Leclerc’s brilliant victory at the United States Grand Prix has reignited Ferrari’s championship hopes. After a challenging weekend in Austin, the Monegasque driver delivered a masterclass at the Circuit of The Americas, leading a Ferrari one-two and claiming his third win of the season.
Leclerc, who started fourth on the grid, capitalized on early chaos when Lando Norris ran wide in a battle with Max Verstappen. Leclerc surged into the lead by the first corner and never looked back. He controlled the race from start to finish, securing his eighth career Formula 1 victory.
“[I’m] very happy,” Leclerc said after his win. “It hasn’t been an easy weekend. I’ve struggled a bit with the feeling in the car, but I had confidence it would improve during the race, and it did.”
Ferrari’s upgrades, which debuted in Singapore, have clearly made a difference, allowing the team to execute a near-perfect race. Leclerc praised the team’s engineers and pit crew for their efforts. “The whole team is working super well. Pit stops were really good, everything worked out,” Leclerc added.
Ferrari’s one-two finish in Austin is their first in the United States in 18 years. It boosts their points tally in the constructors’ standings, bringing them within eight points of second-place Red Bull, while McLaren leads the pack with 544 points.
Despite the dominant performance, Leclerc and Ferrari remain cautious about their title chances, with Leclerc saying, “It’s a long way to go, but this is a good start.”
Norris Loses 3rd To Pentalty
In the final 10 laps, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen battled fiercely for third place, delivering an intense yet fair duel. Norris eventually passed Verstappen but only after running wide. Despite the thrilling overtake, McLaren should have instructed Norris to give the position back. Failing to do so earned Norris a five-second penalty, dropping him to fourth. It was the right call by the stewards, ensuring the race remained fair.
Lawson’s Return and Red Bull’s Future
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson’s return to Red Bull Racing turned heads as he outperformed Yuki Tsunoda, finishing ahead of his teammate. Lawson’s consistent form and ability to handle pressure suggest that he may be a future star for the team.
In my opinion, Lawson will likely replace Sergio Perez in 2025, marking a significant shift in Red Bull’s lineup. Tsunoda, on the other hand, should remain patient. With Aston Martin switching to Honda power units in the near future, he has a prime opportunity to replace Fernando Alonso, who is expected to retire after a remarkable career.
The driver market is set for a shakeup, and both Lawson and Tsunoda find themselves at pivotal points in their careers. For now, they will continue to learn and grow under the guidance of their teams.
Ferrari’s Championship Dream
Leclerc’s victory brings him within 22 points of second-place Norris in the drivers’ standings, while Verstappen extended his lead to 57 points. Ferrari’s resurgence offers hope for an exciting end to the season, as they chase down McLaren and Red Bull in the constructors’ battle.
FULL RESULTS
IMAGES: F1
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