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: Oscar Piastri receives a penalty (Lap 12/19)
The McLaren - now in 12th - gets a five-second penalty for forcing Pierre Gasly off track.
A fair call. It was overly aggressive by the Aussie at turn 12.
F1 US Grand Prix: Russell continues to drop off (Lap 11/19)
Charles Leclerc now takes fourth place from George Russell coming out of turn 12!
Russell: “My front left is toast!”
Russell has dropped from second to fifth!
Top-8: Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Magnussen, Hulkenberg
F1 US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz takes third place (Lap 10/19)
Russell is struggling now and Sainz takes third place, with great traction in that Ferrari!
Can Sainz catch Lando?!
Top-8: Verstappen, Norris, Sainz, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Magnussen, Hulkenberg
F1 US Grand Prix: Norris slowly closing the gap to Verstappen (Lap 10/19)
OK, so now the pace is coming to Lando Norris.
George Russell behind him has dropped way off - 1.6 seconds - and Norris is now 1.3 seconds off Max Verstappen.
Will he have enough time? Over halfway through the sprint race now...
F1 US Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz overtakes Charles Leclerc (Lap 7/19)
Sainz wins the war! He divebombs down the inside and Leclerc has to go off-track...
Sainz takes fourth! “Let’s go and get them guys,” he says.
Meanwhile, Norris does brilliantly to defend Russell at the end of the back straight - and keeps second for now!
It means the gap to Verstappen is now two seconds...
Top-8: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Sainz, Leclerc, Hamilton, Magnussen, Tsunoda
F1 US Grand Prix: Norris now outside of DRS to Verstappen (Lap 6/19)
Superior pace from Red Bull - or is Norris just conserving his medium tyres?
Either way, the gap between Verstappen and Norris is now 1.2 seconds - and George Russell is just half-a-second behind Norris in third.
Top-8: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Magnussen
F1 US Grand Prix: Leclerc and Sainz fighting! (Lap 4/19)
Brilliant on track combat between the Ferraris, but Leclerc keeps fourth after a few changes of position!
At the front, Verstappen is 0.7 seconds ahead of Norris - so the McLaren will have DRS here!
3-8: Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Magnussen, Tsunoda
Sergio Perez, who started 11th, only up to 10th so far...
F1 US Grand Prix: LIGHTS OUT!
Max Verstappen holds the lead after a long wait at the lights - but Lando Norris takes second place from George Russell... just!
The McLaren driver needed some bravery there to hold his land down the inside heading into turn 3 - but he keeps second!
Russell down to third, but being heavily challenged by Charles Leclerc in fourth!
Exhilarating start!
F1 US Grand Prix: Formation lap!
So Max Verstappen leads the other 18 cars (with Alex Albon in the pit-lane) around the track for the formation lap at the newly resurfaced Circuit of the Americas!
This sprint race will be 19 laps - can the likes of Lando Norris challenge for the lead?!
Who will hold the lead heading into turn one?
F1 US Grand Prix: A reminder of the starting grid for the sprint
1. Max Verstappen
2. George Russell
3. Charles Leclerc
4. Lando Norris
5. Carlos Sainz
6. Nico Hulkenberg
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Kevin Magnussen
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Franco Colapinto
11. Sergio Perez
12. Pierre Gasly
13. Lance Stroll
14. Fernando Alonso
15. Liam Lawson
16. Oscar Piastri
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Valtteri Bottas
19. Zhou Guanyu
Pit lane. Alex Albon
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