Max Verstappen extended his lead at the top of the F1 standings on Sunday.
Red Bull star Max Verstappen was compared to a squirrel after extending his lead at the top of the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings at the United States Grand Prix. The 27-year-old crossed the chequered flag in fourth place but then climbed above title rival Lando Norris after the McLaren man was handed a five-second penalty.
Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc produced a dominant display at the Circuit of the Americas to cruise to his third victory of the season.
Carlos Sainz joined him on the podium, with much of the day’s drama occurring behind the Scuderia duo.
Verstappen was passed by Norris on Turn 12 with four laps remaining as he dropped down a place in the pecking order.
But the Briton was deemed to have run off the track and was ultimately sanctioned by the stewards following the conclusion of the race after refusing to concede his position on the track.
The result saw the Dutchman bag 23 points across the weekend following his victory in Saturday’s Sprint race, with Norris adding 18 points to his season tally after finishing third in the Sprint. And Verstappen stretched his overall lead over Norris at the top of the F1 standings to 57 points, with five races remaining.
After the Grand Prix, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was asked about the afternoon’s action. And the 81-year-old explained: “Max is a bit like a squirrel. They pick up every nut they see lying around. When it comes to world championship points, Max has the same philosophy.”
Norris appeared to be in the ascendancy ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, having clinched victory in two of the previous four races. Verstappen, meanwhile, hasn’t finished first since overcoming Norris at the Spanish Grand Prix in June following a precipitous downturn in fortunes for the Red Bull car.
But Verstappen will be hoping his imperious form in the early stages of the season, which saw him win seven of the opening 10 races, has provided him with the cushion he needs to end the season on top.
The F1 season continues in Mexico at the weekend, ahead of races in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“It was crystal clear that the pass had been made off the track so Lando should have given the place back,” asserted Red Bull chief Christian Horner as he discussed the decision that ultimately resulted in Verstappen claiming more points than Norris over the weekend.
“He chose not to, so therefore there was a penalty and for us it was very much a black and white scenario. It was a slam-dunk. You want the right people on the podium. The stewards dealt with it pretty rapidly and decently.”
- TOM PARSONS
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