F1 United States GP live updates: Race latest with Norris back in ...

Formula One is back in the U.S. for round 19 of the 2024 world championship around Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

Lando Norris started today’s grand prix on pole, but now trails championship leader Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc leads.

Subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here

???? 50/56: Brilliant here watching Verstappen absolutely hug the inside line on Turn 1 to make sure Norris can’t take him there, or the switchback into Turn 2 either.

If only Norris had been so aggressive off the line on the opening lap. He wouldn’t have been in this situation now, I’m sure.

???? 48/56: Woah, Norris gets slo close as Verstappen locks up at Turn 1 — but the McLaren still isn’t there yet. It’s such a great battle this.

We should also keep an eye on the front too, where Sainz is starting to close the gap on Leclerc.

???? 47/56: This race just went up a level. Norris is now all over the back of Verstappen, although he’s yet to get close enough to take a stab at passing him.

Meanwhile, George Russell is flying again and has the fastest lap of 1:37.656 in P7, and chasing Perez.

That gap is 5.335 seconds right now…

???? 45/56: The tire advantage has paid off for Norris as he closes on Verstappen.

Given how much the Red Bull has struggled on this stint, this should be an easy pass for Norris with DRS.

???? 44/56: On the flip side of Lawson’s performance, Tsunoda goes for a spin and that sends him down to P14 after brief yellow flags.

Meanwhile, Norris continues to close on Verstappen in third. It’s closing in on just a second an DRS range.

???? 43/56: Lawson has gone from P19 to P9 in this race with that ambitious one-stop strategy.

Really impressive stuff.

Good way to make a case for the Red Bull seat down the line...

???? 41/56: Late and urgent call on Magnussen to come into the pits for the second time, which he does.

Quick tire change and the Haas is back out in P11 — but soon loses that place to Colapinto, who had also finally pitted for the first time.

???? 40/56: Into lap 40 we head, with Leclerc (P1) and Sainz looking really good out front and in charge. Leclerc also has the fastest lap as things stand (1:37.834).

Verstappen sits third, little more than two seconds ahead of Lando Norris in fourth.

In short, this could get fun soon…

???? 39/56: Yuki Tsunoda really isn’t happy that he’s out behind Liam Lawson after Lawson’s long first stint.

Lawson pitted and emerged ahead of his RB teammate, and has fresh, medium tires, so should easily pull away and maybe even have a shot at some points.

???? 38/56: Max Verstappen is feeling that too. He comes onto the radio complaining that he can’t do anything with his current tires — especially anything racy.

That is the first time Max has complained all weekend, I reckon.

???? 37/56: Norris running a second per lap quicker than Verstappen

That tire delta is really coming into play now. Norris is flying out there.

???? 35/56: It really makes you wonder what might’ve been for Hamilton today.

He had gone from P17 to P12 after just three laps, after all (before sticking it in the gravel trap).

???? 34/56: No huge extension from Norris in the end. He’s back out behind Verstappen, but has tires that are six laps fresher.

That might give him the edge he needs to hunt down Verstappen and pass him.

We’re nearly through all the first stops in this race now and, barring a safety car, maybe the only round of stops.

It’s only Russell, Lawson and Colapinto who are yet to pit. All three are driving really good races after starting on the hards.

The Mercedes has looked particularly alive for Russell, who has been on pace with the leaders for quite a while.

???? 32/56: A warning over the radio about not wanting another Germany situation… That might be some curious code from Will Joseph to Lando Norris there.

Norris has only raced in Germany twice, at Hockenheim in 2019 and at the Nurburgring in 2020.

On both occasions, he retired from the race. So somehow, I don’t think he’s referring to either of those races...

???? 31/56: Norris seemed quite receptive to extending this first stint, and he’s showing that with his lap times.

There’s not yet been any massive drop off. He only lost half a second on the last lap to Verstappen and although he’ll come out behind whenever he pits, building up the tire delta will give him a chance to go on a charge.

???? 30/56: Over half the race distance now. Here’s how the top places looks. Asterisks for those yet to stop: