Charles Leclerc wins F1 U.S. Grand Prix, Lando Norris loses podium to late penalty

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AUSTIN, Texas — It was a Ferrari one-two in the Lone Star State on Sunday as Charles Leclerc won the United States Grand Prix and Carlos Sainz finished second.

Lando Norris used his tire delta to navigate to third place late past Max Verstappen, who complained about his tires multiple times during the race. But the moment Norris passed Verstappen likely will be viewed as controversial, as the Dutchman immediately raised over the radio that the McLaren overtook him outside of track limits.

Norris pointed out that he was ahead at the apex of the turn, entitling him to the position. The stewards ultimately handed the McLaren driver a five-second time penalty for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage.”

As the laps dwindled, Red Bull reported over the radio to Verstappen that Norris had exceeded the limit for track limit infringements. However, McLaren told Norris he only had three different infringements. One more, and a penalty would come. It never happened, but the five-second time penalty was enough to cost Norris the position anyway.

LAP 52/56

Through goes Norris but he’s off the track when he does

The McLaren driver hasn’t given the place back. The stewards are investigating 👀#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/oDmpRvOYDM

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 20, 2024

Leclerc, Sainz, and Verstappen rounded out the podium, widening Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship.

The race began with the field vying for positions as the 20 cars barrelled uphill towards Turn 1, and nearly all cleanly escaped, aside from Esteban Ocon, who got spun around after contact with Alex Albon. Lando Norris started on pole but didn’t hold the lead after passing the massive American flag at Turn 1. Verstappen navigated his RB20 up the inside of the McLaren, heading into that first corner, and Leclerc slipped past them both, taking command of the race.

After a few laps, fans saw the first F1 safety car since the Canadian Grand Prix in June. Lewis Hamilton, who qualified P19, ended up in the gravel at Turn 19, ending his day.

The race settled after the safety car period ended, and the drivers found a rhythm. Verstappen was told over the radio at around lap 14 out of 56 that Red Bull noticed an issue with his car, though it was unclear to the public during the race what was wrong. The team would try to sort it during his pit stop.

The grand prix was straightforward from there, though a few incidents occurred, including a black-and-white flag shown for a couple of drivers and penalties handed out (five-second time penalties to Yuki Tsunoda, George Russell, and Pierre Gasly for different moments). Several of the lower midfield teams secured critical points finishes — Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg finishing eighth (four points), RB’s Liam Lawson in ninth (two points), and Williams’ Franco Colapinto in tenth (one point).

Norris’ penalty was costly in the bigger picture of the drivers’ championship fight. He entered the day 54 points behind Verstappen with six races remaining—now he leaves Austin 57 points back, closer to third-place Charles Leclerc (22 points back) than the championship leader.

Leclerc and Sainz’s day also tightened the constructors’ championship picture. Ferrari is now just eight points back of Red Bull for second place, while McLaren leads the championship by 40 points.

RACE CLASSIFICATION (LAP 56/56)

A red letter day for @ScuderiaFerrari #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/a7HuHuTjlp

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 20, 2024

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Top photos: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images