Winners and Losers from the United States Grand Prix: Leclerc

Winners and Losers from the United States Grand Prix: Leclerc Dominates as Hamilton Stumbles

The United States Grand Prix in Austin delivered plenty of drama and surprises, with Ferrari shining on top. While some drivers left with victories and momentum, others faced tough setbacks. Here’s a look at who thrived and who struggled at The Circuit of The Americas.

Winner: Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc delivered a masterclass performance in Austin, capitalizing on a tense battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to snatch the lead early on from his P4 starting position. With skillful positioning at the start, Leclerc turned the race in his favor and never looked back, cruising to his third victory of the season and the eighth of his career.

This victory was even sweeter for Leclerc, as it marked the second consecutive time he has won from fourth on the grid, replicating his Monza triumph. The win helped him close the gap to Norris in the drivers’ standings, leaving him just 22 points behind. Leclerc’s confident drive solidified his position as one of the season’s standout performers.

Loser: Lewis Hamilton

On the flip side, Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget. The seven-time world champion was shockingly knocked out in Q1 during qualifying, a rare misstep for the veteran driver. Things only got worse in the Grand Prix itself, where Hamilton managed just a few laps before spinning off into the gravel, ending his race prematurely.

This marked Hamilton’s first retirement in the United States, a country where he’s enjoyed plenty of success in the past. It was also his shortest race since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. With this disappointing result, Hamilton’s chances of gaining ground in the championship race took a serious blow.

Winner: Ferrari

It wasn’t just Leclerc who had reason to celebrate—Ferrari as a whole had a brilliant weekend. Carlos Sainz put in a stellar performance to secure second place behind his teammate, making it a Ferrari one-two in Austin. The Italian team’s resurgence has been a highlight of the season, and their double podium in Texas reinforced their status as a serious threat in the constructors’ championship.

Loser: Mercedes

Mercedes struggled as a whole, not just with Hamilton’s misfortune. George Russell was unable to make a significant impact either, finishing far behind the leaders. The team’s performance has been inconsistent throughout the season, and the lackluster results in Austin only emphasized the need for improvements if they hope to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull in the final races.

Winner: Max Verstappen

Although Verstappen didn’t win, the reigning world champion still managed to finish on the podium. His third-place finish kept him firmly in control of the championship, even though he lost out in the early race battle with Leclerc and Norris. Verstappen continues to rack up points and remains on course for another title.

Loser: Lando Norris

Lando Norris, while showing promising pace, couldn’t convert it into a podium finish. After an intense battle with Verstappen, Norris faded slightly and ended up off the podium. Though still second in the drivers’ standings, his gap to Verstappen is widening, and his rivals are closing in.

As the season moves on to Mexico, the race in Austin proved pivotal for many drivers and teams. While Ferrari and Leclerc celebrated their success, others will be keen to turn their fortunes around in the next Grand Prix.