Verstappen catching McLaren pair at a pace!

By Mark Gero

Max Verstappen gained another eight points in the championship on the two McLarens drivers Saturday afternoon at the Circuit of the Americas as the Dutchman went on to win the sprint race ahead of Mercedes George Russell with Carlos Sainz in third for Williams.

Verstappen was pleased afterwards but felt that the real issue will come from the race.

“Start was good, then there was the safety car because of the Turn One incident.” Said Verstappen. “It took a few laps after the safety car to get decent pace. So, we have to figure out what is going on there. But never the less, we won the sprint, which is of course the most important. But of course, looking at tomorrow, I do think we have to be better in the race to fight the McLarens.”

Verstappen took the lead early in the 19 lap race, and considering a mid-race threat from Russell when both went off the circuit momentarily, Verstappen continued in front and took the checkered flag due to a late collision by the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and Haas F1’s Esteban Ocon, which put out the second safety car, finishing the race..

The first safety car occurred right at the start when the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg struck the McLaren of series leader Oscar Piastri, which collided with his teammate Lando Norris, putting the papaya pair out. Hulkenberg continued but had to replace his front wing. In addition, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso got involved in the melee when the debris from Hulkenberg’s car punctured one of his tyres, retiring him from the event.

For the rest of the five remaining points finishers, both Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc took fourth and fifth, while sixth went to Alexander Albon in the Williams. Red Bulls Yuki Tsunoda finished in seventh, ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, who took the last point position, thanks to a penalty by the Haas of Oliver Bearman, who went wide when Antonelli tried to pass him and served a ten second infraction for it.

Qualifying will be later on Saturday, with the race at noon local time on Sunday.