Charles Leclerc, happy to be back on podium at US Grand Prix

The Monegasque driver finished third in Sunday’s Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. It was his first podium since Spa in Belgium at the end of July.

The Circuit of the Americas saw the end of a five-race dry spell for Charles Leclerc, as he finished the event on the third step of the podium, alongside the winner, Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Britain’s Lando Norris (McLaren).

A source of satisfaction for the Ferrari driver. “Overall, I’m very pleased because it’s been a difficult second half of the season and to be back on the podium here, after a complicated first free practice session with a gearbox problem, feels good, so I’m happy,”  he told the press conference.

Relief for Leclerc, Hamilton not far behind

Charles Leclerc started on soft tyres while the majority were on mediums, and he managed to overtake Lando Norris at the first corner, surprised by the tyres’ effectiveness. The Monegasque held off the McLaren’s comeback for just over 20 laps, but had to give way and was the first among the leaders to head for the pits and change to medium tyres.

Back on track, the number 16 gradually worked his way back up to second place as the other drivers also pitted. After a few tyre issues, Lando Norris ended up taking the runner-up spot from Charles Leclerc with five laps to go, after a long and nail-biting battle. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished without incident just off the podium, as Oscar Piastri, in the other McLaren, was unable to get the better of the seven-time world champion.

Charles Leclerc takes third in Belgium GP

Charles Leclerc remains fifth in the drivers’ standings with 192 points, 50 more than Lewis Hamilton, just below him. Australian Oscar Piastri maintained his lead ahead of his teammate Lando Norris, but Max Verstappen came back strongly, and is now only 40 points behind. The next Grand Prix will take place this weekend, in Mexico.