F1 US Grand Prix LIVE: Race results and standings as Norris reacts angrily after Leclerc win
F1 live reaction from the Circuit of the Americas as Norris is penalised for an overtake on Max Verstappen and Leclerc leads Ferrari to a glorious victory in Austin
Lando Norris’ F1 championship hopes were dealt a hammer blow after he was handed a controversial five-second penalty to finish behind rival Max Verstappen following a compelling US Grand Prix.
As Charles Leclerc raced to an impressive win at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, pole man Norris was only fourth – one place behind Verstappen – to leave him 57 points adrift in the title race with only 146 points to play for across the concluding five rounds. Carlos Sainz took second to complete a Ferrari one-two.
Norris spent the final dozen laps crawling all over Verstappen’s gearbox in a thrilling conclusion, and he eventually made the move stick on the 52nd lap.
However, the stewards quickly launched an investigation into the pass, and Norris was adjudged to have run off the track. Norris was penalised, and although he crossed the line in third, four seconds ahead of Verstappen, his sanction dropped him back, in what could prove a pivotal decision in his championship quest.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz after qualifying third...
“The target was to do a step in qualifying, yesterday P5 and today P3. Bit gutted for that last lap, I was three-tenths up. Easy to say now, some good progress.
“We should be in the fight tomorrow.
F1 US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen after qualifying second...
“That’s how it goes, we’re still on the front row.
“We made some changes on the car, hopefully that’ll be nice tomorrow.”
TOP-10 FOR THE US GRAND PRIX:
1. Lando Norris
2. Max Verstappen
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri
6. George Russell
7. Pierre Gasly
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Sergio Perez
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris on pole position!
What drama!
Max Verstappen was way up on Lando Norris’ time, too, but was forced to slow down in the final sector due to double-waved yellow flags!
Russell’s crash was at the penultimate turn and he just lost the car, skidding into the wall. All OK, thankfully.
But Norris takes the slice of luck! It’s Verstappen and Carlos Sainz behind him.
F1 US Grand Prix: George Russell crashes!
Oh no!
George Russell crashes in sector three - with a big hit into the wall! He says he’s OK.
That’s it for qualifying then, with Lando Norris on pole!
F1 US Grand Prix: Final flying laps coming up!
Moment of truth now. Can Max Verstappen go quicker?
F1 US Grand Prix: Lando Norris on provisional pole!
Wow! What a first lap from Lando Norris!
He’s on provisional pole with a 1:32:330 - 0.031 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen!
Carlos Sainz is third, three-tenths off, with Charles Leclerc in fourth.
5-10: Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Magnussen, Alonso (no time)
Gauntlet well and truly thrown down for Verstappen! They will all have another go - 5:00 to go in Q3...
F1 US Grand Prix: Q3 underway!
Here we go then!
10 drivers involved: Norris, Piastri, Russell, Magnussen, Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Gasly, Alonso
Is it Verstappen’s pole to lose?
F1 US Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying P19...
“In the sprint, we had some sort of failure on the front suspension. It made the balance really difficult.
“The car was a nightmare in qualifying. We should start in the pit-lane, otherwise we won’t be going anywhere.
“It was a very inconsistent balance and no grip.”
F1 US Grand Prix: Yuki Tsunoda is out!
Tsunoda knocked out right at the end by Fernando Alonso!
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Stroll, Lawson
So credit to Galy, Alonso and Magnussen for getting through!
Top-3: Verstappen, Sainz, Norris
Now time for the top-10 shootout!
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