Ferrari achieved the double in Austin during the US F1 Grand Prix, the 18th round of the season. Charles Leclerc beat Carlos Sainz to sign his 8th victory.
Reigning champion Max Verstappen, leader in the standings, finished in 3rd place after resisting pressure for more than 20 laps from his standing challenger, Lando Norris, who received a 5-second penalty at the very end racing. On pole with Verstappen at his side on the 1st row, Norris gave up the lead from the 1st turn, Verstappen rushed in, as did the 2 Ferraris and Norris was only 4th.
In the lead, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc took his ease. By lap 25, when Verstappen returned to the pits to change tires, his lead had already increased by more than 11 seconds. Leclerc never trembled to win his 8th victory, the 3rd of the season after Monaco and Italy, with an 8.5” lead over his teammate Sainz, who allowed Ferrari to celebrate their 2nd double of the season . At the end of March, in Australia, it was the Spaniard who took the upper hand.
Verstappen 3rd after Norris penalty
Verstappen was able to complete the podium. He was certainly overtaken by Norris in the final laps, but the Briton received a 5-second penalty for an incorrect overtaking maneuver. In the World Championship standings, Verstappen, who had won the sprint race the day before, increased his lead over his first pursuer to 57 points. There are still 5 Grands Prix and 2 sprints to go before the end of the season.
afp/bur
