Max Verstappen won – But not easily

Max Verstappen drove the US GP to victory. The win was the Dutchman’s 15th of the season and 50th of his career.

Verstappen did not get his victory this time as easily as many times in the last couple of years.

As a result of the penalty, Verstappen, who only started from the sixth starting grid, had to go through a tight tactical fight with Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and McLaren Lando Norris against.

Norris took the lead at the start, holding the position until the first pit stops. After the first stops, Verstappen seemed to be moving with a two-stop tactic, unlike Norris and Hamilton.

However, two tire changes quickly proved to be the best strategy. After the leaders changed tires for the second time, Verstappen took the lead with Norris on his heels. Hamilton was further away, but under the Mersu star were faster medium tires against other hards.

After boarding the Ferrari Charles Leclerc ahead, Hamilton started his streak. Hamilton caught up to Norris, passing his younger compatriot in style.

But he wasn’t Verstappen’s real threat this time either. However, Hamilton forced Verstappen, who suffered from brake problems, to drive at full speed until the end. At the finish line, the difference between the two was less than two seconds.

The collapse in tire performance was drastic after a certain limit. Leclerc got to experience that, who eventually dropped to sixth.

Valtteri Bottas the race will not go down in the history books. Alfa Romeo’s speed and tactics did not put the Finn in the points battle at any point. The Finn finished in 14th place.

The F1 season continues next weekend in Mexico. There are still four race weekends left in 2023.