Max Verstappen, the current leader of the Formula 1 world championship, won the United States Grand Prix sprint race, 19e round (out of 24) of the season, his first win in almost four months.
Author of a very good start from pole, the Red Bull driver led from start to finish in this race which was only 19 laps (compared to 56 for the GP on Sunday which awards more championship points). “Just like old times!” he answered at the end, after not winning the sprint race at the Austrian GP at the end of June.
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The Dutchman beat the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), in second place.
His championship rival, Lando Norris, finished third. The Briton from McLaren, who was promised second place, made a driving error, which Sainz took advantage of on the last lap.
“I thought I could hold on to that second place, but my front tires were completely worn,” explained Norris. “The end of the race is disappointing, but I am happy with the result and the number of points collected.”
In the championship, Verstappen scores another eight points and is now 54 ahead of Norris, who has six points.
The other Ferrari, Monegasque Charles Leclerc, failed to finish at the bottom of the podium.
The two Mercedes follow, George Russell after beating his fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton, in sixth place, and then the two modest Haas of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, seventh and eighth.
Alpine Frenchmen Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished outside the points, in 14th and 15th.