Two weeks after clinching his third straight world title, Max Verstappen asserted control again in the United States with a dominant run in the sprint race at the Circuit of the Americas. The eighteenth round of the 2023 Formula 1 calendar unfolded with the Dutch ace taking the lead at lights, guiding the field through 19 laps at high pace. Lewis Hamilton claimed second place, edging out Charles Leclerc who completed the podium in third and left the home crowd buzzing about the clash at the front of the order.
Carlos Sainz finished sixth after betting on a surprising soft tire strategy that did not fully pay off. Fernando Alonso faced a disappointing weekend for Aston Martin, ending up in 13th place at a venue that often serves as a barometer for fortunes across the grid. Lance Stroll retired from the race after brake problems halted his push for a strong result.
Verstappen rules in free practice in Austin and Alonso starts with problems
Laura Lopez Albiac
Verstappen lined up on pole and defended his position with a rail-like pace, opening a gap early and maintaining pressure on the field with a fearless approach that left rivals chasing. Hamilton delivered a standout start, pulling away from Leclerc and forcing the Ferrari driver into the role of chaser rather than chaserable threat as the laps unfolded.
Sainz, positioned sixth on the grid, rolled the dice with his tire choice and attempted a bold move at the start by sticking with soft tires—the only compound offering pace on track at that moment. The Madrid native managed to make a partial profit, gaining two positions on the opening lap and overtaking both McLarens as planned aggression paid off briefly.
Alonso began from 12th, part of what many described as Aston Martin’s toughest weekend of the year. The Spaniard dropped further back early on, slipping to 15th after a difficult start and a rough opening phase for the team in Texas.
Santiago Perez? The team, operating under significant scrutiny about its long term Red Bull future, managed a sixth place with a climb applauded by the Austin fans, even as some grid representations around the pit lanes hinted at the turbulence roiling through the final stretch of the season.
George Russell, penalized three grid spots, received a separate five-second penalty during the race for overtaking outside track boundaries, a move that effectively hurt his chances over 19 laps and tightened the gaps among the pursuing pack.
Verstappen remained the focal point of the action, keeping Hamilton in sight while defending against Leclerc’s attempts to close in. Sainz could not close on his teammate, and Norris benefited from DRS to position himself in a more favorable stance as the sprint neared its conclusion.
The Madrid-born driver ultimately finished sixth, narrowly beating both Hamilton and Norris and leaving the top five rounded out by Alonso’s teammate or another driver depending on final classifications. Alonso ended the session in 13th, a challenging result that raised questions about Aston Martin’s setup and strategy heading into race day in Texas.
Max Verstappen, who prepared to start sixth on Sunday as part of the bid for a fifth win in succession and a possible 50th career victory, demonstrated form that suggested the coming days could confirm his supremacy. He crossed the finish line with a commanding margin, leaving Hamilton and Leclerc chasing in his wake by a comfortable eight seconds in the closing stages.