Laurent Mekies has left the United States with mixed feelings. The sporting director is disappointed with the early retirement of Carlos Sainz, but the podium place of Charles Leclerc does make for satisfied faces at the Italian pit wall. Mekies can only conclude that Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are simply too fast.

It was a blow to lose Carlos like that after 300 meters, it's quite exceptional that things like this happen these days," Mekies is quoted by the official Formula 1 website . "It's part of the game, but it's definitely a shame. It was a great opportunity and I think it would have been great to fight Carlos if you look at where Red Bull was driving."

Due to an engine change, Charles Leclerc was put back ten places on the starting grid. The Monegask had to come from P12 and at one point was even second, behind Lewis Hamilton. " He came through the field in a brilliant way, so very well done by Charles and the team. I think he had a good fight with Max at one point, he tried very hard. I think in these kind of race conditions he still a little short compared to Max."