Max Verstappen wins the United States Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli collide

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Max Verstappen just claimed a critical victory in his pursuit of a record-matching fifth consecutive Formula 1 title at the United States Grand Prix.

Lando Norris followed him home in second after a battling performance, while Charles Leclerc’s spirited effort saw him finish third.

Lewis Hamilton matched his best result for Ferrari with fourth, while championship leader Oscar Piastri struggled his way to fifth.

Yuki Tsunoda scored strong points for Red Bull in seventh, while Oliver Bearman continued his good run of form with ninth.

READ MORE: David Coulthard ‘surprised’ after Lando Norris gets ‘telling’ reaction from US Grand Prix crowd

How Charles Leclerc frustrated Lando Norris at the United States Grand Prix

Verstappen got an excellent launch from the line, leaving Norris to defend from Ferrari’s Leclerc on the soft tyre. The Monegasque driver passed with ease, but was unable to mount much of a charge for first place and soon fell under pressure for second.

On lap six, Carlos Sainz attempted an optimistic dive on Kimi Antonelli, which resulted in contact, forcing the Williams driver to retire from the race.

It killed the Mercedes drivers’ hopes, who spent the rest of the Grand Prix trying to make up for the lost ground after the collision.

Little of note happened after that until lap 21, when Norris finally managed to put a move on Leclerc, after laps of sizing him up.

Straight away, Hamilton was behind Leclerc, before he was pulled in for an immediate pit stop. He swapped his set of worn softs for some mediums and rejoined in ninth place.

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton overtaking him at United States Grand Prix

How Max Verstappen sealed a vital win at the United States Grand Prix

With less tyre wear than expected, the majority of the field were on the soft tyre during the second half of the race.

Trying to take advantage of his pace to move up to seventh was Bearman on lap 35, who was caught out by a late move from Tsunoda, sending him into a spin.

With the field spaced out, battles were few and far between, but Norris approached Leclerc for second in the closing stages as the latter battled with his medium tyres.

An optimistic dive on lap 51 at turn one would see Norris claim second momentarily, before a switchback from his rival demoted him once more.

He didn’t have to wait much longer for another chance, though, diving down the inside at turn 11 before pulling away. It was a vital move in the context of the drivers’ championship.

United States Grand Prix results as Max Verstappen claims important win