Max Verstappen sealed a 50th career win and a record-equalling 15th victory in a single season as he came back from starting in sixth to win the US Grand Prix.
A strong start put him in contention alongside Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, with the Dutchman in the driving seat for the majority of the race.
The Red Bull driver appeared to be losing pace towards the very end, but his strength in holding his position meant he was able to see out the race.
Hamilton’s late charge
It was not all easy for Verstappen, and much of that was down to the performance of Lewis Hamilton in the leading role in the chasing pack.
Hamilton led briefly early on before his team’s misjudgement with when to pit saw him caught out, but he gathered pace in the final stages of the race.
A remarkable battle with Lando Norris saw him attempt to beat his compatriot but eventually got past him on turn one to find his way into second place and closing down on Verstappen.
In the end, it was too little, too late, to seal the victory, closing the gap down right until the very end but being unable to take his rival.
Best of the rest
Among the chasing pack, credit must be given to Fernando Alonso for a magnificent drive despite starting in the pit lane.
The Spanish driver was eventually forced out with a mechanical issue, seeing him join Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri on the retiree list after their crash early on in the race.
Elsewhere, his compatriot Carlos Sainz had a composed performance to breeze past his teammate Leclerc late on to seal fourth.
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