After an underwhelming Singapore Grand Prix, the teams took a four-week break before heading off to Austin, TX for the U.S. Grand Prix.
This race is one of my favorites on the calendar, mainly because it’s close to home. I dream of one day joining the festivities and watching the race in-person, to hear the roar of the crowds and screams of the engines as the drivers race past.
The Circuit of the Americas track is one of the most overtake-inducing and exciting tracks, with a combination of flowing corners, long straights and undulating turns allowing for brilliant battles. This race marked the fourth Sprint weekend of the year — a perfect setting to return to after a four-week break from racing.
During the break, fans’ worst fears came to life as Visa Cash App RB parted ways with fan favorite driver Daniel Ricciardo. It was a callus act to sack Ricciardo, especially after he set a new lap record at the Marina Bay Circuit, his final race. Red Bull almost swept it under the rug, not giving fans any forewarning nor the farewell the Australian driver deserved. Ricciardo has been a pivotal figure for the sport and a joyous soul around the paddock for over a decade. He is one of the reasons I fell in love with the sport; his beaming smile and joyous personality is an example of just how impactful and meaningful this sport can be.
Ricciardo was replaced by junior driver Liam Lawson, who had raced in Ricciardo’s place once before when the former sustained an injury last season. Lawson is an excellent driver, but he will never replace Ricciardo.
Moving into the start of the race weekend Haas announced a technical partnership with Japanese automotive giants, Toyota, and their racing division Gazoo Racing. The team also sported an American-themed livery for their home Grand Prix. McLaren and Alpine also sported custom liveries, McLaren with a shimmering chrome finish and Alpine with an Indiana Jones-inspired design.
The first Free Practice (FP1) session began with immediate action. The two Mercedes cars struggled for grip, spinning out multiple times. The two Ferraris were absolutely flying, leading the charge and setting the fastest times during the session, followed by Red Bull driver and championship leader, Max Verstappen, and the two McLarens.
Following FP1, in the first section of Sprint Qualifying (SQ1), Williams driver Alex Albon, who celebrated his 100th race weekend in Austin, made a superb save. He miraculously maintained control of his car after spinning into turn 19 at over 140 miles per hour. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri had a shock exit after his final lap time was deleted for a track limits violation. In SQ2 there was another unusual exit as Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who had looked to finally be back in form, failed to make it to SQ3. His teammate, Verstappen, however, managed to squeak out pole position for the Sprint Race, narrowly beating out Mercedes driver George Russell.
The sprint race provided exactly what fans had been missing for the past month — pure uninterrupted racing. Off the line, Verstappen maintained his lead into turn one with his championship rival, McLaren driver Lando Norris, catapulting himself into second place. Just behind the two rivals, Russell kept pace with Norris and looked for an overtake while both Ferraris fought amongst themselves. As the end of the sprint race neared, Norris struggled with his tires and lost a crucial position to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. Norris also barely hung onto third place as Sainz’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, nearly overtook him in the final turns. With the race ending in another Verstappen victory, Verstappen has won all four sprint races this season, gaining crucial points in the Drivers’ Championship against Norris.
After a brilliant sprint race, the drivers moved on to the formal Qualifying for the grand prix. The qualifying session also had shock exits, as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton managed to qualify P19 and missed out on Q2. In Q3, things were looking very tight at the top of the time sheets, until Russell barreled into the barriers in turn 19. Russell lost control of his car and crashed out of the session. The incident preemptively ended the session and Norris was left on pole position.
Heading into the actual race, Russell was forced to start from the pitlane after repairing his car from his crash in qualifying. Lawson also had to start at the back of the grid after he took penalties to replace parts of his car. As the drivers got off the line, Verstappen sent it down the inside into turn one forcing Norris off track and allowing Leclerc to squeeze past the both of them into first place. The two rivals continued to scrap, allowing Leclerc to surge ahead. They were fighting all throughout the field as the drivers were vying for positions and pride.
As the drivers rounded the final corner on the second lap of the race, I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made me audibly scream. Hamilton spun out and beached himself in the gravel, ending his race and my hopes for a decent points finish for my favorite driver. The incident brought out the safety car for the first time this season since the Canadian Grand Prix, breaking the longest stretch of races without a safety car since 2004.
After the restart, Leclerc maintained his lead and surged ahead of the pack, gaining almost a 10 second lead to Verstappen by lap 20. His teammate, Sainz, pitted early and undercut both Verstappen and Norris, putting him in second place. Besides fighting amongst the midfield throughout the race, there wasn’t much action in the middle of the race — until the final 15 laps.
Norris was gaining on Verstappen, the two fighting for the final podium place and more key points in their championship fight. As this was happening, Russell and Lawson had managed to make their way back into the points, which was insane for starting at the back of the pack. With five laps to go, the Ferraris were coasting to victory while Norris and Verstappen were caught in a monumental fight. The two rivals swapped back and forth, braking late and leaving each other no room for error.
It all culminated in one move. As Norris passed Verstappen on the back straightaway, Verstappen came back and dive bombed him into turn 12 forcing both drivers off track. Following the move, Norris was handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage off track, a puzzling decision from the stewards that left fans, including myself, confused. Even though Norris had overtaken Verstappen, he would still lose his position after his penalty was applied at the end of the race. It was a controversial moment that could be the deciding factor in what has been an enthralling title fight between the two.
Ferrari dominated the race and took home their first 1-2 finish in the U.S. since 2006, with Leclerc claiming the top step of the podium in Austin — his third win of the season — and throwing his name in the pot as a potential dark-horse contender in the Drivers’ Championship. Ferrari’s result catapulted them into a three-way fight for the Constructors’ Championship
Both Haas cars finished in the points for their home race, a nice result for the American team. Russell managed to get all the way to sixth, an impressive drive after starting from the pitlane. Lawson also managed to secure points in his first race as a full-time driver, taking ninth after starting from the back of the grid — not bad for the youngster.
Next week, the teams will head to Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix, in what should be another memorable race.
