US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Edges Out Lewis Hamilton In Thrilling Finish To Win Race

 

Max Verstappen has re-established his brillance on the wheel in a thrilling late stunner and pipped Lewis Hamilton to win the US Grand Prix as he equal record race wins for a season and Red Bull constructors F1 World Championship title for Red Bull.  

Red Bull are now set to be crowned the winners of the constructors title for the first time in nine years having led with 656 points as Verstappen has defended the F1 driver's title for the second season in a row. Accidentally, the later laps of the US Grand Prix was another showdown between him and Hamilton just as it was in the final of last season Abu Dhabi. 

The race witnessed some dramatic moments one of which was Charles Leclerc battling with Verstappen between Lap 30 and Lap 36. The position interchanged between both drivers as Sebastian Vettel led in provisional pole and trailed by Hamilton. Verstappen eventually sped by Leclerc round the corners on Lap36 and moved up to take on Hamilton. 

Hamilton and Mercedes saw their hope of only race win of the season dashed as Verstappen came up on wheel-to-wheel battle with the seven-time world champion, and knowing that he had better traction and speed, he sped by Hamilton who was in pole with six laps remaining.

It could have been a difference had Mercedes been able to keep Verstappen at bay with George Russell but Hamilton was defenceless against the two-time champion whose car had better engine pull on the straight than Mercedes. 

Leclerc finished third behind Hamilton for a podium finsih. Sergio Perez took the fourth position ahead of Russell, who ran into Carlos Sainz on the first-lap going into Turn 1 and the collison badly damaged his car. 

"i just went to see him and apologised for that," Russell said after the race."From there on it was a really difficult afternoon for me personally. I've been really off the pace this weekend."

With 13 races won this season, Verstappen has equalled the previous record set for most race won in a season by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.