Formula One: Max Verstappen Wins US Grand Prix
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen doubled his lead in the Formula One world championship to 12 points after holding off charging title rival Lewis Hamilton to win the US Grand Prix in Austin.
Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton slashed the Dutch driver’s lead with a late attack on fresher tyres but finished 1.333 seconds behind, with a bonus point for fastest lap at the Circuit of the Americas.
Red Bull’s Mexican Sergio Perez was a distant third, struggling with dehydration after a water bottle failure in the Texas heat. The win was Verstappen’s eighth of the season, and first in America.
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“Of course we lost out in the start so we had to try and do something else,” Verstappen said. “The tyre wear is quite high around this track, we went aggressive and I was not sure it was going to work but the last few laps were fun.”
“A bit sideways through the high-speed corners but super happy to hang on.”
Hamilton was generous in his praise for Verstappen after what was a controlled and mature performance.
“Congratulations to Max, he did a great job today,” said Hamilton. “It was such a tough race. I got a good start, gave it absolutely everything.”
“But at the end of the day, they just had the upper hand this weekend and we couldn’t really have asked for more.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
