F1 United States Grand Prix LIVE: Sprint race results and reaction in Austin
F1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the US Grand Prix – and the fifth sprint weekend of the season.
Max Verstappen sealed the 2023 world title last time out in Qatar and also claimed his 14th grand prix victory of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was driver of the weekend, however, winning the sprint race and coming second in the grand prix on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget, crashing into Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were among the chasing pack. Lando Norris finished third to secure a double podium for McLaren.
Verstappen won a thrilling race at COTA last year, edging out Lewis Hamilton who has still not won a race since the 2021 season. Hamilton is, however, a five-time winner at the circuit. Charles Leclerc grabbed pole for Sunday’s grand prix after qualifying on Friday.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - SPRINT
Max Verstappen wins the sprint in Austin; Hamilton 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
PENALTY! A second penalty of the day for George Russell
START! Max Verstappen leads while Lewis Hamilton takes second place
Max Verstappen claims pole for the sprint; Leclerc 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
BREAKING: George Russell receives a three-place grid drop
Fernando Alonso out in SQ2, also out: Ricciardo, Ocon, Stroll, Zhou
Valtteri Bottas knocked out in SQ1, also out: Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Tsunoda, Sargeant
Charles Leclerc took pole for the grand prix; Norris 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
PREVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
Lewis Hamilton after finishing second:
Sunday 22 October 2023 00:06 , Kieran Jackson
“That was a fun race, good start down to turn one - good battle with Charles. I was trying to get closer to Max but their pace is just undeniable right now. But nonetheless I’m really happy to be on the podium.
“Hopefully we can have a good battle tomorrow, if we can keep Max behind that would be awesome but if not no worries.”
"If we can all keep Max behind that would be awesome!" 👀
Lewis Hamilton reflects on the Sprint and looks ahead to the Grand Prix ⏳ pic.twitter.com/NN61dJ4oFo— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 21, 2023
Max Verstappen after winning the sprint:
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:56 , Kieran Jackson
“At the start it was quite tight. After that we could control the pace, at the end had a bit of fun pushing a bit more.
“Starting P6 tomorrow will be a bit different to today, hopefully we can have a bit of fun and a few overtakes!”
TOP-8 IN THE US GP SPRINT:
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:47 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Lewis Hamilton
3) Charles Leclerc
4) Lando Norris
5) Sergio Perez
6) Carlos Sainz
7) Pierre Gasly
8) George Russell
A usual response from Max Verstappen!
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:44 , Kieran Jackson
“Simply, simply lovely!”
Max Verstappen wins the sprint in Austin!
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:37 , Kieran Jackson
It’s another superb performance from Max Verstappen! Pole and the win - and eight points in the world championship... which is already sealed!
Lewis Hamilton takes second, with Charles Leclerc in third.
4-8: Norris, Perez, Sainz, Gasly, Russell
There’s your points scorers everyone!
Max Verstappen starts his final lap (Lap 19/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:35 , Kieran Jackson
Another cruise in 2023 for the world champion.
He starts his final lap with a lead to Lewis Hamilton which is now a mammoth eight seconds!
Lance Stroll retires (Lap 17/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:33 , Kieran Jackson
Not too sure what the problem is to be honest, but Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll is calling it a day.
He was way out the points anyway...
Max Verstappen’s lead now five seconds (Lap 15/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:29 , Kieran Jackson
I know it’s been 19 races or so... but the racepace of this Red Bull is still hard to fathom!
It’s just a sprint and simply on pure pace, Max Verstappen’s lead to Lewis Hamilton is now bang on five seconds.
Best battle on track right now? George Russell is all over Carlos Sainz in sixth... but no dive down the inside yet!
Just a few laps to go now...
Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Perez, Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Albon, Piastri
Sergio Perez takes fifth place from Carlos Sainz (Lap 12/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:23 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz’s soft tyres are dropping off... a breeze for Sergio Perez to take fifth place from the Ferrari man.
Next man for Sainz to defend from? George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton falling away from Max Verstappen (Lap 10/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:21 , Kieran Jackson
Unfortunately Lewis fans, your man is slipping back.
The gap now 2.8 seconds from leader Max Verstappen. The pack has sort of settled for the time being.
Oscar Piastri, in 10th, has a black-and-white flag for track limits. Not as good a sprint race as last time in Qatar for the Australian...
Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Russell, Gasly, Albon, Piastri
Just over halfway through the race...
Lewis Hamilton complaining about track limits on Max Verstappen (Lap 6/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:16 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton says he’s seen Max Verstappen go beyond the white line a few times - he’s really pushing is the seven-time world champion!
However, he has gone outside of DRS range... narrowly!
Meanwhile, George Russell has a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in a move on Oscar Piastri.
Russell does not agree: “He just ran me off the road.”
George Russell receives a 5-second time penalty! ⏱️👇 pic.twitter.com/MUBXlJt2GG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 21, 2023
Lewis Hamilton is within DRS of Max Verstappen (Lap 3/19)
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:11 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton is holding on to the gearbox of Max Verstappen - just 0.6 secs separates them!
At the back, George Russell has stormed up to seventh from 11th on the grid!
Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Russell, Piastri, Gasly, Albon
Lewis Hamilton up to second at the start!
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:06 , Kieran Jackson
Terrific start from Max Verstappen!
He holds off Charles Leclerc on the outside at turn 1, before Hamilton takes advantage around the outside to take second!
Halfway through the lap, Carlos Sainz takes fourth place from Lando Norris!
Formation lap!
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:03 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen leads the pack around for the formation lap!
19 laps for this sprint race, that’s 104.7km around the Circuit of the Americas!
Can Charles Leclerc get a jump on the 2023 world champion at the start?!
What is the grid for the sprint race?
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:58 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Lando Norris
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Carlos Sainz
7) Sergio Perez
8) Alex Albon
9) Pierre Gasly
10) Daniel Ricciardo
11) George Russell*
12) Fernando Alonso
13) Esteban Ocon
14) Lance Stroll
15) Zhou Guanyu
16) Nico Hulkenberg
17) Kevin Magnussen
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Yuki Tsunoda
20) Logan Sargeant
*George Russell received a five-second penalty for impeding Charles Leclerc in the shootout
Five minutes until the sprint race!
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:55 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen starts on pole and the question is... can anyone pass him?
Charles Leclerc is alongside him on the front row, with the British duo of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris behind them.
Can anyone surge past the Red Bull heading out of turn 1 at COTA?!
REMINDER: What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:50 , Kieran Jackson
The fifth Formula 1 sprint event in 2023 takes place this weekend at the United States Grand Prix
Full detail below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Odds for the sprint race!
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:45 , Kieran Jackson
Fancy a flutter?
Max Verstappen - 1/6
Charles Leclerc - 13/2
Lewis Hamilton - 14/1
Lando Norris - 18/1
Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri - 40/1
George Russell, Sergio Perez - 50/1
Alex Albon - 150/1
Pierre Gasly - 200/1
Max Verstappen back to his best to claim sprint race pole in Austin
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:40 , Kieran Jackson
Sprint shootout report
Max Verstappen bounced back from his mistake in qualifying for the United States Grand Prix to put his Red Bull on pole position for today’s sprint race.
Verstappen will line up from only sixth place for Sunday’s main event at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas after his quickest lap was chalked off for exceeding track limits here on Friday night.
But less than 24 hours later, the triple world champion atoned for his error to seal top spot ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.055 seconds for the 19-lap dash to the chequered flag later today.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen back to his best to claim sprint race pole in Austin
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:32 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 433 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 224 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 145 points
7) Lando Norris - 136 points
8) George Russell - 132 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 23 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
BREAKING: George Russell receives a three-place grid drop
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:22 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell has received a five-place grid drop for impeding Charles Leclerc in the shootout qualifying.
Frankly, he can’t have many complaints. A shoo-in.
A hairy moment for Max Verstappen in the sprint shootout!
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:17 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen goes spinning! 🔄 pic.twitter.com/LG1sjtpUda
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 21, 2023
What is the grid for the sprint race?
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:01 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Lando Norris
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Carlos Sainz
7) Sergio Perez
8) Alex Albon
9) Pierre Gasly
10) Daniel Ricciardo
11) George Russell*
12) Fernando Alonso
13) Esteban Ocon
14) Lance Stroll
15) Zhou Guanyu
16) Nico Hulkenberg
17) Kevin Magnussen
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Yuki Tsunoda
20) Logan Sargeant
*George Russell received a five-second penalty for impeding Charles Leclerc in the shootout
Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme: ‘Let’s not get too soft’
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:48 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton said Formula One must not become “too soft” and challenged his fellow drivers to embrace pain amid a safety backlash following the last round in Qatar.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell branded the race a fortnight ago “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” as temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees.
Canadian Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity in Lusail.
London-born driver Alex Albon was treated for acute heat exposure, while his rookie Williams team-mate Logan Sargeant was forced to park his car through illness. Alpine’s French driver Esteban Ocon also vomited during the race.
Full quotes below:
‘Let’s not get too soft’: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme
Here are the constructors’ standings ahead of this weekend:
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:30 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 657 points (champion)
2) Mercedes - 326 points
3) Ferrari - 298 points
4) Aston Martin - 230 points
5) McLaren - 219 points
6) Alpine - 90 points
7) Williams - 23 points
8) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
9) Haas - 12 points
10) AlphaTauri - 5 points
Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:13 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a man handed a lifeline in Formula One – with an illustrious Red Bull-shaped reward beckoning down the line – it has not quite been the statement return Daniel Ricciardo envisaged back in July. What did that look like? Top-10 finishes with AlphaTauri, perhaps with a memorable overtake or two evoking the Ricciardo of old back onto the grid. But it has in fact been the complete opposite: the only return has been his return to inactivity.
Two races in and a hand injury sustained in practice in Zandvoort, north Holland, back in August has seen the affable Australian feature only on the sidelines again. A seesaw seven weeks have followed: while on one hand confirmation of a seat on the grid in 2024 was, rather peculiarly, confirmed in his absence in Japan, his deputy Liam Lawson caught the eye with a string of impressive performances, including a team-best result of ninth in Singapore.
So as Ricciardo struts back into the paddock this weekend in Austin, the broken bone in his hand healed, the pressure is firmly on the 34-year-old’s shoulders at his home from home. Affection works hand in hand with Ricciardo and the United States: he loves America, Americans love him.
Full piece below:
Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs
REMINDER: What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:53 , Kieran Jackson
The fifth Formula 1 sprint event in 2023 takes place this weekend at the United States Grand Prix
Full detail below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:31 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 433 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 224 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 145 points
7) Lando Norris - 136 points
8) George Russell - 132 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 23 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
Max Verstappen back to his best to claim sprint race pole in Austin
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:24 , Kieran Jackson
Sprint shootout report
Max Verstappen bounced back from his mistake in qualifying for the United States Grand Prix to put his Red Bull on pole position for today’s sprint race.
Verstappen will line up from only sixth place for Sunday’s main event at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas after his quickest lap was chalked off for exceeding track limits here on Friday night.
But less than 24 hours later, the triple world champion atoned for his error to seal top spot ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.055 seconds for the 19-lap dash to the chequered flag later today.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen back to his best to claim sprint race pole in Austin
George Russell after qualifying in eighth:
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:12 , Kieran Jackson
“It wasn’t the perfect session, but there’s not a lot of points to play with today.
“It’s exciting going into tomorrow, that’s where we’ll put all the focus. Tomorrow is the big one.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:02 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s about understanding tyres. We had such a massive gap to our competitors, but now we’re right in the mix.
“We’ll approach the race with curiosity. If we can have a better performance, we can fight for a strong podium.”
Lando Norris after qualifying fourth:
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:53 , Kieran Jackson
“I’m happier today than I was with my lap yesterday. Happy with it, even though the position is worse. Good enough for today.”
And this moment...!
This moment between Lando and Jenson! 😅 pic.twitter.com/WxudjJP12q
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 21, 2023
Max Verstappen after claiming sprint pole:
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:47 , Kieran Jackson
“I think we were quite competitive, the car was working quite well. I think it’s going to be an exciting afternoon, a lot of cars close to each other...
“It’s all going to be a bit of a question mark. Normally in the race we are quite OK!”
TOP-10 IN THE SPRINT SHOOTOUT:
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:31 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Lando Norris
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Carlos Sainz
7) Sergio Perez
8) George Russell
9) Alex Albon
10) Pierre Gasly
Lewis Hamilton over team radio:
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:23 , Kieran Jackson
“Good job lads. This is an improvement, we’re getting there...”
Max Verstappen is on pole for the sprint in Austin!
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:16 , Kieran Jackson
Normal service resumed!
Max Verstappen takes P1 - but only by 0.055 seconds!
Charles Leclerc is second this time, with Lewis Hamilton also within a tenth in third! So tight between the top-three!
4-10: Norris, Piastri, Sainz, Perez, Russell, Albon, Gasly
The world champion will start from the front for the sprint race at 11pm!
Cars make their way out onto the circuit...
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:10 , Kieran Jackson
Nothing in the first three minutes... and Max Verstappen is the first car out there!
Soft tyres for this one - whoever gets through last before the chequered flag might just have the optimum track conditions here!
SQ3 underway!
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:07 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then - just eight minutes in this quickfire final sprint-qualifying session!
Who will be on pole for the sprint race later on?!
No cars out for now...
Max Verstappen had a nervy spin at the end of SQ2!
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:06 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen goes spinning! 🔄 pic.twitter.com/LG1sjtpUda
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 21, 2023
Fernando Alonso out in SQ2!
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:02 , Kieran Jackson
Both Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo miss out on the final session!
Bottom-five (11-15) and out in SQ2: Ricciardo, Alonso, Ocon, Stroll, Zhou
George Russell looked tight on track limits... but survives!
Alex Albon sneaks through in P10...
Top-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz
Max looks bang on it today...
Max Verstappen quickest so far
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:56 , Kieran Jackson
Different tactics at play here, eight cars have gone out to set a lap straight away, while six remain in the garage - including Lewis Hamilton!
Max Verstappen top with a 1:35:181, with Charles Leclerc two-tenths back in second and Carlos Sainz in third.
4-8: Norris, Perez, Piastri, Stroll, Zhou
3:00 to go...
SQ2 underway!
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:50 , Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull duo lead the cars out of the pit lane.
This session is 10 minutes long, with medium tyres again in use.
Who will make it to the top-10 shootout in the shootout?!
Valtteri Bottas out in SQ1!
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:46 , Kieran Jackson
Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo escape in 14th and 15th!
Yuki Tsunoda is doing his usual ranting and raving at the end of the shootout, down in P19.
Bottom-five (16-20) and out in SQ1: Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Bottas, Tsunoda, Sargeant
Stewards are also looking at an impeding incident... George Russell in trouble potentially putting off Charles Leclerc. “Penalty for Mr Russell, thank you!” says Leclerc.
Top-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Albon
Max Verstappen didn’t go out in the end there, saving himself a set of tyres.
Max Verstappen quickest after first set of laps
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:40 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen top with a 1:35:957, ahead of both Ferrari drivers.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Bottas, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Stroll, Sargeant
3:00 to go. Oscar Piastri in P11 not safe, and Fernando Alonso in 15th will also need to go quicker!
Medium tyres in use!
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:36 , Kieran Jackson
All 20 cars now out on track. A reminder that the medium tyre is the compulsory compound for SQ1 and SQ2, before we move to soft tyres for SQ3.
Time for some lap times!
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:32 , Kieran Jackson
The fifth Formula 1 sprint event in 2023 takes place this weekend at the United States Grand Prix
Full detail below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
SQ1 underway!
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:30 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway with the first 12 minute session of the sprint shootout at the Circuit of the Americas!
Quickfire laps for all 20 drivers now...
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:28 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 433 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 224 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 145 points
7) Lando Norris - 136 points
8) George Russell - 132 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 23 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
George Russell perplexed after ‘strange’ day at US Grand Prix qualifying
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:27 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell admits he was “off the pace” during Friday’s action at the United States Grand Prix.
Russell was fifth-fastest during qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, while his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamiltonwas third-quickest at the Circuit of the Americas.
Yet after a difficult first practice session too, Russell seemed somewhat confused as to why he struggled but stated given his shortcomings, he was satisfied with his fifth-place starting spot for Sunday.
“For me, it’s been a challenging day,” Russell said after qualifying.
Full quotes below:
George Russell perplexed after ‘strange’ day at US GP qualifying
F1 sprint at US Grand Prix!
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:24 , Kieran Jackson
Welcome to live coverage of sprint day at the US Grand Prix!
Charles Leclerc took pole in grand prix qualifying... what will the shortened format of the sprint have in store?
The shootout is at 6:30pm (BST), with the race itself at 11pm. Stay right here for all live updates over the next few hours!
