Verstappen triumphs in US Grand Prix
|
Red Bull have clinched the Formula One contructors’ title after recently-crowned champion Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix, despite a disastrous pitstop during the race.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was second and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the podium in third.
Verstappen got the better start to overtake polesitter Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, who was spun around after a collision with the Mercedes of George Russell and was forced to retire.
Two safety car phases were not a problem for the Red Bull driver, but a disastrous pitstop on lap 36 with a sticky front tyre saw the Dutchman drop to fifth.
He then put up a fight, first with Leclerc and later with Hamilton, to retake the lead with six laps to the end of the race.
Verstappen’s win was his 13th of the season, equalling the Formula One record.
The victory and constructors’ title came a day after the death of Red Bull’s billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
This is Red Bull’s fifth constructors’ title, after winning the championship four times in a row between 2010-2013 led by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
with Reuters
DPA
