How Charles Leclerc Facilitated Max Verstappen's Austin Victory

Max Verstappen ruled Austin like a sheriff in the Wild West. The Dutchman had a perfect weekend: pole position on Friday, victory in the Sprint, pole position on Saturday, triumph in the race. A masterful performance that further undermined the lead of the McLaren in the race for the Drivers' title. While the Sprint victory can be attributed to the Dutchman's talent alone – and possibly also to the chaos of the first lap – his Grand Prix triumph was facilitated by the heroic defense of Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque, third on the starting grid, took off better than Lando Norris, started in second position. On soft tires, the driver Classic Ferrari for sale stole the position from the Bristol native in the first corner of the race. Charles Leclerc then fought a fierce battle, holding off every attack from Norris until the closing laps of the race, before his set of medium tyres – fitted on the 22nd^e lap of the race, did not end up weakening in the face of the tireless Papaye, who was wearing fresher tires. Lando Norris finally took second place, ahead of a tenacious Charles Leclerc on the third step of the podium.

Max Verstappen, master of the Wild West, Charles Leclerc assisting in spite of himself

Second at the checkered flag, Lando Norris was unable to worry the defending champion, conceding almost eight seconds to the Red Bull No. 1. What if Charles Leclerc had never overtaken the McLaren at the start? The question fueled post-race debate.

For Max Verstappen, the role of the Monegasque was decisive. It would have been a very close race. (if Charles Leclerc had not overtaken Lando Norris at the start of the race), admits the Dutchman. Whenever Lando Norris was on the open track, our paces were very balanced. Maybe at times he was even a little faster, Verstappen concedes. The gap (with the McLaren) would not have been the one we had in the end (without Charles Leclerc). »

Charles Leclerc " fought well ", concedes Lando Norris. Perhaps too well for the runner-up in the championship, who would have hoped to collect more points to reduce the gap with his garage neighbor Oscar piastriA lucid admission, as the Monegasque driver made things difficult for him throughout the first half of the race. Handicapped by the Ferrari's dirty air, Norris displayed a pace inferior to Verstappen for a long time. He finally found his form at the end of the race, overtaking Charles Leclerc on the 52nd of 56 laps – but far too late to hope for victory.

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Lando Norris draws late

"Who knows? (what would have happened if Charles Leclerc had not overtaken him in the first corner) the Briton asked himself. Starting with soft tires, starting from the right ctake awaygrid… He had theadvantage at the first turn, to the'ext" Lando Norris defends himself.

Forced to retire from the Sprint race after a collision with his teammate, the McLaren driver was more cautious at the start of the Grand Prix. « Apryesterday, Iwas obviously a little cautious – I didn't want to too much'move aside at the first turn to avoid finishing back in the gravel. Charles Leclerc did a good job and he passed me, He continues. We were faster (than the Ferraris), sure, but not by much. For a while, I didn't expect to finish second."

With "ifs," we could put Paris in a bottle... but not a McLaren on the top step. In any case, Max Verstappen takes another victory and sees the prospect of a fifth consecutive title. I hope to keep it exciting until the end of the season." confides the four-time world champion. With five rounds left in the season, the standings are tightening: the three championship leaders are now separated by only 40 points.

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