Round 19 F1 GFT AI Driver Rankings: Verstappen wins Sprint, then overcomes qualifying 6th to win the USGP at COTA

22 October 2023
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

AUSTIN, TX — Max Verstappen collected his 50th F1 career victory and 15th win of the 2023 season Sunday at the US Grand Prix on the Circuit of the Americas in Autin, Texas. Verstappen has now led 795 laps so far this season and has secured the 2023 Drivers Championship and, along with teammate Sergio Perez, secured the Constructors Championship for Red Bull Racing.

Max Verstappen recovered from sixth on the grid to take a nerve-wracking win at the United States Grand Prix, as the Red Bull man held off a fast-approaching Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren of Lando Norris to claim his 50th Formula 1 race win. (Image Credit: formula1.com)

NOT AS EASY AS OTHER WEEKENDS FOR VERSTAPPEN:
Qualifying was frustrating for the World Champion on Friday as his Q3 lap, that looked to secure Pole Position for Sunday’s USGP, was erased due to exceeding track limits. The result was a 6th place starting position on the grid for the Grand Prix.

MOTIVATED:
With the frustration fresh from Friday’s qualifying, Verstappen executed with precision for the Sprint Shootout earning P1 for the start, and then completely dominating the 18 lap Sprint race.

RARE DISQUALIFICATIONS BY FIA STEWARDS
Hours after the race and podium ceremony, the FIA announced Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been disqualified from the 2023 United States Grand Prix for a “technical infringement.” The details released explained that “plank wear irregularities” on their cars following post race inspection by the FIA technical team.

GFT F1 AI Driver Rankings after Round 19 United States GP at COTA (Image Credit: Go Full Throttle Digital)

Verstappen overtook Norris for the lead on Lap 29 of the USGP at COTA in Austin, TX (Image Credit: formula1.com)

F1 USGP POINTS REPORT

AMERICAN F1 DRIVER LOGAN SARGEANT SCORES 1st POINT
With the Hamilton and Leclerc disqualifications, American driver Logan Sargeant (Willams F1) moves from a strong P12 up to P10 scoring his first F1 World Championship point in his young career.

Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant Stars and Stripes livery for the USGP at COTA

Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant Stars and Stripes livery for the USGP at COTA

Winners Quote:
“I think the whole race I was struggling a lot with the brakes,” said Verstappen. “Around here there are quite a few braking points so I couldn’t really have the same feeling as yesterday. So, that made my race a bit tougher out there today. You could see it was very close in the end and there were also the back markers. When the tires are already going it makes it a bit more difficult.”

UP NEXT:
2023 Mexico City Grand Prix, which takes place over 71 laps of the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on Sunday, October 29.