Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc delivered a masterclass performance at the United States Grand Prix, leading a Scuderia 1-2 finish, alongside teammate Carlos Sainz, in a crucial victory that keeps Ferrari’s championship hopes alive. Leclerc’s flawless race at Circuit of The Americas marked his eighth career win and Ferrari’s first 1-2 finish in the US since 2006.
Leclerc took control of the race from the very first corner, seizing the opportunity when Lando Norris and Max Verstappen tussled at Turn 1. His aggressive yet precise driving allowed him to catapult into the lead, which he held for the majority of the race. Meanwhile, Sainz, starting from third, found himself initially stuck behind Verstappen but capitalized on Ferrari’s superior race strategy and tyre management.
Sainz’s race was defined by a well-timed early pit stop on lap 21. Switching to Hard tyres, he executed a textbook undercut, successfully overtaking Verstappen. Leclerc, pitting five laps later, comfortably retained his lead and eventually overtook Oscar Piastri, solidifying his position at the front.
With the Ferrari SF-24’s superior performance, the team cruised to their 87th all-time 1-2 finish, the second of this season following Australia. Verstappen, unable to match Ferrari’s pace, crossed the finish line more than ten seconds behind Sainz, completing the podium in third.
This result brought Ferrari a much-needed 55 points, significantly boosting their standing in the Constructors’ Championship. They now trail McLaren by just 54 points and are a mere 8 points behind Red Bull. The win underlines Ferrari’s progress since introducing key updates in Monza, as the team’s tyre management and strategy were critical to their success.
Speaking after the race, Leclerc was optimistic about Ferrari’s momentum heading into the final stages of the season. “It feels good to bring home a victory at the start of this triple header,” said Leclerc. “The whole team did an amazing job to make this happen, and a 1-2 brings us a good amount of points in the fight for the Constructors’ title. We will never stop dreaming until it is done.”
With just a few races remaining, Ferrari heads to Mexico City next weekend, hoping to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent form in their pursuit of the championship title.
