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 makes shock fastest lap rule change for 2025 season
The FIA, F1’s governing body, have decided to remove the bonus point available for setting the fastest lap for the 2025 season onwards.
The extra point, given to the driver who sets the fastest lap in Sunday’s grand prix (if he finishes in the top-10), was introduced in 2019.
It often results in drivers pitting late in the race for an extra point, particularly if it doesn’t impact their position in the top-10.
Full story below:
F1 makes shock rule change for 2025 season
The FIA have approved a change to the rulebook ahead of next year’s 24-race calendar
Constructors’ Championship after US GP sprint
1. McLaren - 522 points
2. Red Bull - 483 points
3. Ferrari - 453 points
4. Mercedes - 336 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 34 points
8. Williams - 16 points
9. Alpine - 13 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
What is the starting grid 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
11. Yuki Tsunoda
12. Nico Hulkenberg
13. Esteban Ocon
14. Lance Stroll
15. Alex Albon
16. Franco Colapinto
17. Valtteri Bottas
18. Lewis Hamilton
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Liam Lawson*
*Lawson starts at the back of the grid after taking an engine penalty
Lando Norris after claiming pole:
“It was one of the best laps I’ve done in qualifying ever.
“Clearly we don’t still have the pace compared to Red Bull but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
“I can’t get close to Max in turn 5, 6, 7. Ferrari extremely good in slow-speed. We’re just good and good. We’re just there everywhere, it’s not been quite good enough.”
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
Martin Brundle believes there is “no smoking gun” for Red Bull as their ‘bib’ device saga continues at the US Grand Prix in Austin on Friday.
Full quotes below:
Martin Brundle insists there is ‘no smoking gun’ in Red Bull F1 bib device saga
The furore surrounding Red Bull’s unique device has overshadowed the start of the US Grand Prix
Driver Standings ahead of the US Grand Prix:
The gap between the top two is now 54 points...
1. Max Verstappen - 339 points
2. Lando Norris - 285 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 250 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 237 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 197 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 177 points
7. George Russell - 159 points
8. Sergio Perez - 144 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 25 points
11. Lance Stroll - 24 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Alex Albon - 12 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 8 points
16. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
17. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 4 points
20. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits his team “need answers” to their driver line-up dilemma as the pressure grows on Sergio Perez.
Mexican driver Perez trails teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen by 187 points after 18 races this year and has not won a grand prix since April 2023.
Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 – with an option to extend for 2026 – but Liam Lawson’s promotion to sister team RB for this weekend’s US Grand Prix indicates that Red Bull are assessing their options ahead of next year.
Having relinquished their spot at the top of the constructors’ standings to McLaren, Red Bull boss Horner acknowledges that his team “can’t afford a big gap” between Verstappen and his team-mate next year.
Full quotes below:
Red Bull ‘cannot afford’ F1 driver disparity as pressure grows on Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen leads his Red Bull teammate Perez by 187 points after 18 races this season
Lewis Hamilton reacts to Red Bull ‘bib’ saga
Lewis Hamilton has reacted to Red Bull’s controversial device that alters the height of its front bib ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.
“I’ve only just heard about it before I got here,” he told Sky Sports. “But I think the name of our sport is all about innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they’ve innovated.
“Ultimately all the teams look at the rules and try to find how to massage those rules and get the most out of it, even if it’s just over the edge a little bit. You just need to continue to evolve and be better policed.”
QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
Lando Norris saw off rival Max Verstappen to take pole position for the US Grand Prix and boost his championship dream.
Verstappen claimed his first win in nearly four months when he led every lap of the sprint race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas earlier on Saturday to extend his title advantage from 52 to 54 points.
Norris finished third – after he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap – but he bounced back in qualifying to take spot, beating Verstappen by just 0.031 seconds.
Full report below:
Lando Norris takes stunning US Grand Prix pole ahead of F1 title rival Max Verstappen
Norris bounced back from his sprint race disappointment to beat Verstappen by 0.031 seconds in Austin
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.”
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