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Sebastian was unlucky not to pick up more points in the United States Grand Prix, while Lance’s strong day was ended early after contact.
Both drivers started in the top 10 at Circuit of the Americas and early contact at the front of the pack put both Lance and Sebastian in a strong position.
However, a sequence of misfortune on a day where the team had two very strong cars on the track resulted in a smaller number of points than expected on the day.
Sebastian
Starting in 10th on used Medium tires, Sebastian rocketed into fifth on the opening lap thanks to a brilliant launch and contact for cars in front.
While he was unable to keep faster cars coming back through the field behind, he kept within range of Lance in front.
Sebastian had not yet pitted when Valtteri Bottas spun off and brought out a safety car on lap 18, meaning he was able to take a cheap pitstop.
Restarting in sixth on another set of used Medium tyres, Sebastian fought off a challenge from Lance before a second Safety Car and then began to gap himself to Pierre Gasly, with whom he was in a direct fight with over sixth place.
Race report by Aramco
Seventh for Sebastian at COTA
After post-race penalties were applied, Sebastian brought home six points at Circuit of the Americas with a seventh-place result, while Lance had a strong start from fifth on the grid but unfortunately was unable to finish the race.
learn moreUnited States GP
Gasly’s AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda then became the car behind when Gasly had a penalty to serve, and Sebastian extended his second stint such that he was able to briefly take the lead.
Unfortunately, the team suffered a slow second pitstop, which took place on lap 41 for used Hards. This dropped Sebastian down the order into 13th. From there, he began a charge back up the order.
Esteban Ocon was the first to be displaced when he pitted and then Sebastian picked off Tsunoda and then Zhou Guanyu to return to the points-paying positions.
He soon overtook Alexander Albon for the ninth and then had five laps to close the five-second gap to Kevin Magnussen – who was attempting a one-stop race – for eighth.
Sebastian closed the gap and battled with the Haas driver in the final sector of the lap, managing to make a move stick into the penultimate corner of the final lap.
A post-race penalty applied to Fernando Alonso meant Sebastian classified in seventh place, taking home six valuable points.
When I crossed the finish line, the adrenaline was really pumping. Without the slow stop, I think we had sixth place easily in the bag.
“In the end it was a good recovery drive to score six points today. I really enjoyed the last few laps, especially the final lap fight with Kevin.
“When I crossed the finish line, the adrenaline was really pumping. Without the slow stop, I think we had sixth place easily in the bag so we should focus on the positives of our competitive car pace today.
“We were strong all race; the start was great and I was up in fifth place early on. It was also nice to lead the race for a while because it has been a while since I was in that position.”
lance
Starting from fifth on the grid on a scrubbed set of medium tyres, Lance got a good start and capitalized on contact in front of him to move up into third position on the opening lap.
With faster cars behind him and coming through the field, Lance stayed in the top three positions for a number of laps before he started to lose a few positions.
Regardless, Lance held on to a net sixth position before his first scheduled pitstop at the end of lap 15.
He returned to the track on another set of scrubbed Medium tires in eighth, but crucially ahead of Gasly and Lando Norris, who were scrapping behind, which became seventh when Fernando Alonso pitted.
A Safety Car came out on lap 18 after Bottas spun off into the gravel, and Lance lost out to Sebastian who was able to take a cheap pitstop.
Unfortunately, we had contact with Fernando, which was a shame. There was a big difference in speed and I was defending.
Restarting in the seventh ahead of Gasly, Lance was on the run down to Turn 12 when there was contact with Alonso, who had passed Gasly and had a run on Lance, which ended in a sudden rear-left puncture for Lance and ended his race.
Lance was okay after a few spins and contact with the barrier, but his promising race was over, while Alonso was able to continue.
“We had a good start to the race; everything was feeling great with the car and we were sitting in third for a little while.
“Unfortunately, we had contact with Fernando [Alonso], which was a shame. There was a big difference in speed and I was defending.
“I gave him plenty of room on the left of the track, so it was not as if I squeezed him against the wall. He could have moved earlier or moved more to the left.
“Thankfully, it was not a big impact with the wall, I did not hit anything hard, and I am OK after the contact.”
Qualifying report by Aramco
Top five start for Lance at the United States GP
Practice report by Aramco
Tire testing and top four on Friday at COTA
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