hard blow to Sainz
From pole position, the worst outcome for Carlos Sainz would not be Verstappen seizing the lead, but another early exit—already the sixth race of the season for the Ferrari driver. A collision with a Mercedes sent him off the track, and a tire puncture forced a box return. The team assessed the damage and elected to retire the car, dealing a heavy mental blow to Sainz after a weekend that showed promise behind the wheel of the F1-75.
Verstappen created early separation by gaining ground on Mercedes after a superb start. Sergio Pérez, rejoining in fourth after an internal engine issue, moved up several spots as the race unfolded. The Mexican pressed Leclerc, who started twelfth due to a double penalty and endured a slow comeback. Aston Martins found themselves in seventh as the race progressed.
Austin proved to be a demanding but rewarding track, drawing a crowd of around 440,000 spectators over the weekend. Max Verstappen asserted dominance from the outset, building almost a five-second cushion on Hamilton within ten laps. A strategic call by Mercedes to pit Lewis for hard tires prompted Verstappen to react on the next lap, but the plan did not yield the hoped-for advantage, and Max continued at a relentless pace.
Alonso’s ‘Flight’
The safety car, triggered by Bottas exiting the track with 37 laps to go, reshaped the storyline and added drama. Leclerc, now free of the initial fall that handicapped him, regrouped with Ferrari as the leaders stretched their tires. Alonso, who preferred a hard compound due to a grid penalty from the start, benefited from the pace car and rose to provisional ninth, then advanced to eighth with a decisive overtake on Gasly.
An incident involving Lance Stroll disrupted the Spaniard’s race, as Stroll tried to navigate past Alonso and collided with guardrails, spinning into danger but avoiding a more serious crash. The moment elevated tension on the track, scattering debris and forcing another safety car period.
red bull beetle
When the race resumed, 30 laps remained. Hamilton applied pressure on Verstappen while Leclerc and Pérez vied for opportunities. Mercedes attempted an undercut on Hamilton, but Red Bull could not stop Verstappen, who lost 11 seconds in the pit stops yet retained pace. A quick, precise response from the team helped regain momentum as Verstappen surged forward.
With five laps remaining, Verstappen unleashed a fierce attack that left Hamilton with little room to respond. Hamilton settled for second, while Leclerc earned a surprising podium thanks to consistency from his earlier pace.
look at the sky
Moments before qualifying, Verstappen learned of the passing of Red Bull founder and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Although Sainz did not receive the same personal tribute, Verstappen pressed on with renewed determination to honor the Austrian icon. The two-time world champion has often credited Mateschitz with believing in him when he was younger, a sentiment he echoed in pre-race moments and a subdued post-race tribute.
During the pre-race ceremony, Verstappen reflected on the mentor’s influence and how the success of the season felt tied to the support received from Mateschitz. The paddock paid tribute with a moment of silence as Verstappen looked to the sky and whispered, “For you, Didi.”