At what some are lauding as the most exciting Formula 1 race of the year, to date, Lando Norris of McLaren-Mercedes has taken the lead in the World Drivers’ Championship by a single point from the long-time leader this season, Oscar Piastri. Mr. Norris put on a superb display to win the race convincingly from pole position. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari held off defending champion Max Verstappen for second place, and Mr. Verstappen made it to third position at the end of the race. The points differences between the top three drivers vying for the championship have tightened up considerably, making for a meaningful fight between them over the last four races of the season.
Mr. Norris had put in an excellent lap to secure pole position, and Ferrari drivers Mr. Leclerc and Sir Lewis Hamilton took second and third places in a better-than-expected performance for the Italian team. Mr. Verstappen qualified down the order, but even farther behind was Mr. Piastri with ongoing poor form. A chaotic first lap eventually saw Mr. Hamilton handed a 10-second penalty by the race stewards, and rookie driver Oliver Bearman of Haas-Ferrari pushed aggressively to end up near the front-runners. Yuki Tsunoda was looking in a fine position through much of the race, until he inexplicably suffered a horrendous 12 second pitstop. I do not know the circumstances, but from what I have heard so far, the Red Bull team appeared to mess up the pitstop.
On the penultimate lap, a virtual safety car put a halt to Mr. Verstappen’s attempts to overtake Mr. Leclerc, and to Mr. Piastri’s attempts to overtake Mr. Bearman. All of this played out very nicely for Mr. Norris, who has been showing increased steadiness as a driver, it must be said.