F1 United States GP Live Commentary and Updates – Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Max Verstappen controlled the US GP sprint race on Saturday, but takes on a trickier challenge in the grand prix as he starts from sixth place with Charles Leclerc on pole.
While the Red Bull driver remains favourite, having wrapped up the F1 world drivers’ title last time out in Qatar, his rivals will be looking to spring an upset at the Circuit of the Americas.
The US GP starts at 8pm BST.
Live Standings
presented by
Stopped
Summary
12 Days
12 hrs
18 min
19 sec
Full coverageCheck out our full coverage of Miami GP
Verstappen is matching Hamilton's lap times, both setting a 1m40.2s on lap 45, which is pushing Norris away from the Red Bull and towards the Mercedes.
Verstappen is told directly to match Hamilton's lap times by Red Bull and he gives a flustered response to ask for no radio when he's in the braking zones. He's being made to work for this win.
Hamilton pulls alongside Norris through the final sector in firm but fair racing, but it gets hairy at Turn 1 as Norris blocks him going up the hill. They avoid a clash and Hamilton gets the switch back move done at Turn 2.
"Why did I have to let Sainz by? Let's talk after the race," Leclerc requests over team radio. Given he started on pole, this has not been a good day for the Monegasque.
Ferrari ordered Leclerc to let Sainz by because they sniff a podium with Norris slow ahead. It is a long shot with a 4.3s gap and just under five laps to go.
Verstappen leads by 4.3s from Hamilton and is still able to match his pace, so with four laps to go his 50th F1 career win is within touching distance.
Verstappen wins the United States GP! He holds on to record his 50th career win in F1! Hamilton has to settle for second and Norris completes the podium.
Sainz takes fourth ahead of Perez and Leclerc, with Russell just 0.3s off in seventh. Gasly takes eighth with Stroll going from the pitlane to finish ninth.
Tsunoda completes the points places and with the fastest lap he doubles his tally! Albon, with a late penalty, is 11th ahead of Sargeant and Hulkenberg. Bottas, Zhou, Magnussen and Ricciardo complete the finishers.
Verstappen on his not-so-straightforward US GP win: "I think the whole race I was struggling with the brakes. I couldn't have the same feeling as yesterday which made my race tougher."
Hamilton on second place and coming so close to catching Verstappen: "Firstly we have to congratulate these guys [Red Bull] and Max, they've done an incredible job all year. They've been flawless. We were catching them towards the end and I was hopeful but we needed some more laps."
Norris on third place: "Leading the race, we controlled it a lot, but just not enough today. We knew our struggles, the degradation, and the pace at the start of the race and start of stints was strong, but I couldn't hold on."
After some decent chitchat on the cooldown room, the podium trio come out on to the rostrum, but Verstappen is greeted by some boos that are followed by chants of "Checo!"
McLaren is up to fourth at the expense of Aston Martin in the F1 world constructors' standings with the haul of points from Norris, while in the drivers' Perez's hold on second place over Hamilton is down to 19 points.
That'll wrap up the live text coverage of the US GP weekend. Never fear, we'll be back next weekend for the Mexican GP which sees the return of the traditional format. Until then, have a wonderful rest of your Sunday. Go well!
