Formula 1 is back this weekend after a three-week break, kicking off at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Last year, Max Verstappen dominated both the sprint and main races here.
The United States Grand Prix is a staple on the F1 calendar since 2012, and it’s one of three races held in North America. Let’s look back at the thrilling events from the 2023 race at COTA.
Max’s Mastery at COTA:
In 2023, during the 18th round of the season, Max Verstappen started sixth but still managed to win both races despite brake issues. This marked his 15th victory of the season. He skillfully held off Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, who led briefly during the 56-lap race. Hamilton finished just behind Verstappen by 2.2 seconds, while Norris took third place on the podium.
Verstappen’s triumph was also his 50th Grand Prix win. By lap 12, he had climbed to third and overtook Norris for the lead on lap 28. Hamilton’s strategy saw him closing in on his competitors, with a remarkable pass on Norris being a highlight of the race. Meanwhile, Logan Sargeant earned his first F1 point with Williams due to podium changes.
Fans might think that Verstappen’s winning streak seems unstoppable!
Disqualification Drama Unfolds:
The excitement didn’t stop there. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced disqualification for skid block violations, bumping Norris up to second and Carlos Sainz to third. Haas requested a review after Lance Stroll and Alex Albon went unpunished for track limit breaches. Although results stood firm, stewards asked FIA to revisit track limits rules for future races. Changes are set for 2024 to address these issues.
What do you think about these twists and turns?
