Max Verstappen increased his lead over Lando Norris in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship lead after claiming victory in the United States Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday, Afrosport reports.
The reigning world champion was never under threat as he led from start to finish of the 19-lap sprint to make it a 100% record in sprint races this year.
Norris was behind Verstappen for much of the sprint after starting in fourth but was overtaken by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap and ultimately settled for the final podium spot.
The Briton managed to hold off the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc who finished fourth while the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fifth and sixth respectively.
The Haas duo of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg completed the sprint points in seventh and eighth respectively in the home race for the American team.
The second Red Bull of Sergio Perez missed out on sprint points in ninth while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri recovered from 16th to finish 10th.
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS #F1SPRINT IN AUSTIN đź’Ş#F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/LORW3UG2HE
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 19, 2024
Verstappen’s lead over Norris is now 54 points with six Grands Prix and two sprint races remaining.
