US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen wins in Austin with Lando Norris second and Oscar Piastri fifth

Norris started on the front row alongside Verstappen, hoping that the McLaren’s generally strong race performance would allow him to challenge the Red Bull driver, who had won two of the last three races and beaten the McLarens in all of them.

But Norris’ hopes of winning were quickly blown away when Leclerc used the extra grip of the soft tyres, becoming the only driver to choose them for the start when everyone else in the top 10 was on mediums, to grab second place at the first corner.

Verstappen established his lead with an early virtual safety car period caused by a collision between Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, while Norris, closely joined by Hamilton, attempted but failed to overtake Leclerc.

Norris challenged Leclerc on the outside several times at the end of the long straight at Turn 12, but could never get close enough to actually make a pass.

While Verstappen gained the lead, Leclerc held on until he stopped for new tires on lap 22 and entered the middle compound.

Verstappen stopped after a few laps, never losing the lead and enjoying a trouble-free victory; He matched Norris’ score to finish third in four races and fifth on the season.

Norris remained out for a further 10 laps and fell behind the Ferrari again when he stopped to fit the soft tyres.

The Briton was 2.4 seconds behind Leclerc and joined Ferrari’s tail after four laps.

But he couldn’t pass again and soon he said on the radio that he was out of tires.

Norris was advised by race engineer Will Joseph to pull back a few laps to cool his tires and try again.

Norris did so and completed the race with five laps to go. He challenged at Turn 1 and managed to pass, albeit briefly, but Leclerc backed off and regained ground.

Half a lap later, however, Norris moved back into position at Turn 12, overtaking Leclerc and this time making the move permanent.