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Verstappen wins, Hamilton disqualified in dramatic race | 2023 US GP recap
Formula 1 finally returns this weekend after a three-week hiatus, and the first race of this upcoming tripleheader will be taking place at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The United States Grand Prix is one of three in North America and has been a permanent part of the full F1 calendar since 2012. Last year, Max Verstappen, who dominated much of the season, took victory in both the sprint and full race. Here's a brief recap of 2023's Formula 1's dramatic last visit to COTA.
Verstappen victorious at COTA:
The 2023 United States Grand Prix was the 18th round of the season and will be the 19th in 2024. Despite qualifying sixth, Max Verstappen won both the sprint and full races despite suffering from brake issues on Sunday. It was Verstappen's 15th Grand Prix victory of the season. The Dutchman managed to keep challengers Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton at bay as the British pair both led at points during the 56-lap race. Despite gaining on Verstappen's Red Bull, neither could catch the ever-so-dominant Dutchman in the closing stages. Hamilton finished in second place, just 2.2 seconds behind Verstappen. Norris joined the pair on the podium in third.
Verstappen, who secured his 50th Grand Prix victory, was up to third from sixth after 12 laps and passed Lando Norris for the lead on lap 28. Hamilton's strategy offset meant he began to reel his rivals in, with his overtaking of Norris being one of, if not the best of the race. Due to the loss of his podium, however, Logan Sargeant scored his first and only point in F1 with Williams.
Disqualification drama:
The drama didn't end there, as both second-placed Lewis Hamilton and sixth-placed Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the race due to skid block infringements. This promoted Norris to second and Spaniard Carlos Sainz to third. Elsewhere, Haas requested a right to review the race results after points finishers Lance Stroll and Alex Albon committed multiple track limit violations, which were unpunished. Although the race results were allowed to stand, the stewards urged the FIA to review the track limits policy. For 2024, there have been multiple changes made to the circuit to minimise track limits controversy.
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