P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lando Norris was denied any chance of fighting for US GP victory by a combination of two key factors
Max Verstappen had a perfect weekend at COTA, keeping his title hopes alive despite previously looking bleak. He earned a maximum of 33 points, while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from McLaren secured 18 and 10 points, intensifying the championship battle with five races remaining. The race dynamics were influenced by a significant shift in wind direction from qualifying and Charles Leclerc choosing a different starting tyre, impacting Norris’ challenge against Verstappen.
Leclerc’s strategic decision to start on soft tires aimed to secure an early lead, but Verstappen’s overall performance put him ahead. Leclerc’s superior traction allowed him to overtake Norris, who struggled to keep up with the Ferrari’s pace throughout the race. Norris finally passed Leclerc on lap 21, but by then, Verstappen had built a substantial lead.
The choice of starting tire proved crucial, with the soft compound benefiting from the wind direction changes on the track, while the hard compound struggled to keep up. The race demanded a one-stop strategy due to tire performance, forcing drivers to manage their pace carefully. Norris faced challenges overtaking Leclerc and maintaining competitive lap times, allowing Verstappen to secure a significant lead and dominate the race.
