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United States GP Sprint: Max Verstappen ends victory drought as title rival Lando Norris third after late drama

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United States GP Sprint: Max Verstappen ends victory drought as title rival Lando Norris third after late drama

World championship leader Max Verstappen ended his lengthy victory drought to win the United States Grand Prix Sprint for Red Bull as title rival Lando Norris finished third.

Pole-sitter Verstappen claimed his first win – in either a Sprint or full-length Grand Prix – since June as he provided further evidence that the upgrades Red Bull brought to Austin are working.

Norris appeared to have salvaged second after a brilliant start saw him move up two places from fourth on the grid, but the McLaren driver struggled to make his tyres last and was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the final lap.

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While Max Verstappen comfortably won the Sprint, Carlos Sainz overtook Lando Norris for second on the last lap before the McLaren driver almost collided with Charles Leclerc.

Norris survived pressure from Sainz’s team-mate Charles Leclerc to hold onto third, but is under investigation by the stewards for driving erratically and could yet face a time penalty.

As the result stands, Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship lead grows by two points to 54, with Norris still having the opportunity to make ground in Sunday’s Grand Prix, for which qualifying takes place later on Saturday at 11pm, live on Sky Sports F1.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris passed Charles Leclerc and George Russell on the opening lap to climb up to second at the start of the Sprint in Austin.

George Russell, having started from second, finished fifth – a place ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton – as the Silver Arrows failed to deliver the pace many had expected from them.

Haas duo Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the points-scoring positions to move the American-owned team above RB and into sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

More to follow…

United States GP Sprint: Top 8

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

3) Lando Norris, McLaren

4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

5) George Russell, Mercedes

6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

7) Kevin Magnussen, Haas

8) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas

Sky Sports F1’s live United States GP schedule

Saturday October 19
10pm: United States GP Qualifying build-up*
11pm: United States GP Qualifying*
(Sunday) 1am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday October 20
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (Sunday’s race build-up from 7.15pm)

Watch the whole United States GP Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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