A controversial five-second penalty for Lando Norris saw the McLaren driver lose ground in his pursuit of Max Verstappen, on a day when Charles Leclerc eased to victory in the United States Grand Prix.

The victory boosted Verstappen’s confidence in the car since he has not won any of the last nine F1 races – eight grands prix and one sprint.

AUSTIN, Texas — Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari its first United States Grand Prix victory since 2018 with a commanding drive Sunday at Circuit of the Americas, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen strengthened his lead in the Formula 1 season championship chase with a podium finish awarded by a late penalty on McLaren's Lando Norris.