Verstappen sets fastest lap on Lap 4 chasing Antonelli at US Grand Prix

Red Bull driver reclaimed P2 from Leclerc on Lap 2.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 2h2 min read

Verstappen is hunting down Antonelli! 😮‍💨 The Red Bull driver sets the Fastest Lap in his charge... 🟣 #F1 #USGP | LAP Via @F1 on X

What happened: Following a brief early Virtual Safety Car period at Circuit of the Americas, Red Bull's Max Verstappen pushed the pace from second place during the opening stint of the 56-lap race. Polesitter Kimi Antonelli retained P1 off the start while Charles Leclerc settled into third after battling Verstappen through the final sector on Lap 2.

Why it matters: The early duel in Texas extended a head-to-head stretch at the front of the grid after Verstappen held off Antonelli to win the Bahrain Grand Prix on October 9. Antonelli withstood the early charge in Austin to take the checkered flag first, followed by Verstappen in second and Leclerc in third.

By the numbers: The top five qualifiers in Austin were separated by 0.276 seconds, led by Antonelli (P1), Verstappen (P2), Isack Hadjar (P3), Leclerc (P4), and Lewis Hamilton (P5). Final top-10 finishing order at Circuit of the Americas: Antonelli (P1), Verstappen (P2), Leclerc (P3), Hamilton (P4), Hadjar (P5), George Russell (P6), Oscar Piastri (P7), Lando Norris (P8), Liam Lawson (P9), and Oliver Bearman (P10).

What to watch: Formula 1 teams complete post-race scrutineering at Circuit of the Americas before shifting focus to the next round of the 2026 calendar.

Sources

@F1 2026-10-25T20:12:47.154162+00:00

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