AUSTIN, Texas – In a thrilling race at the Circuit of the Americas, Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the Sprint race, showcasing his skill and composure as he held off fierce competition from Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
The race saw multiple exciting moments, with Lewis Hamilton making bold attempts to overtake Kevin Magnussen, only to face contention over track positioning between turns 11 and 12. This allowed Yuki Tsunoda to move up the ranks, ultimately securing a points position after Magnussen was penalized for the incident.
As the drama unfolded at the front of the pack, Verstappen maintained his lead, securing the Sprint win ahead of Leclerc and Perez. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo defended his position against Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri to claim fourth place.
Further down the field, Nico Hulkenberg delivered a strong performance for Haas, finishing seventh. Hamilton, after battling with Tsunoda, faced a setback due to a 20-second time penalty for speeding in the pit lane under Safety Car conditions.
Pierre Gasly secured ninth place for Alpine, with Hamilton slipping down to 16th after the penalty, finishing ahead of Fernando Alonso and Magnussen. The race highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of Formula 1, leaving fans eager for the main event.