P1racenews AI automatic summary:
From the struggling points leader to a solid, much-needed recovery drive – here are our picks for the main winners and losers of the US GP
“It was hardly a classic United States Grand Prix, but it’s one that’s closed the Formula 1 title race up, and produced plenty of winners and losers.
Loser: McLaren (2nd and 5th) There were more points scored here, but Austin felt like an even worse weekend than Baku for McLaren for two main reasons.
Number one, the sprint clash really wasn’t good. It instantly handed Max Verstappen eight precious points and would have compromised McLaren’s preparation for the grand prix with no race data.
Winner: Max Verstappen (1st) We pondered on Saturday whether Verstappen would’ve been laughing after McLaren’s double-DNF in the sprint race. He’ll be purring after this performance.
Loser: Williams (14th and DNF) Sainz dulled the sheen of his sprint race podium with an ill-judged lunge on Kimi Antonelli that ended his own race and hampered the Mercedes.
Winner: Ferrari (3rd and 4th) Ferrari was outscored by Red Bull this weekend – thanks to Verstappen – but the Scuderia actually made up ground in the chase for second in the constructors’ championship.”
