MAX VERSTAPPEN held off a late charge from Lewis Hamilton to win a brilliant US Grand Prix.
It’s was another epic tussle at the Circuit of the Americas, but the Red Bull driver edged out the Brit champion after 56 engrossing laps.
- Podium: 1st Verstappen 2nd Hamilton 3rd Perez
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THE WINNING MOMENT
Here is the moment Max Verstappen crossed the line to claim P1.
What a drive, what a race, what a championship battle.
Five races to go…
GLISTENING SILVERWARE
The Red Bull team are in the long-horned car, the trophies are in hands and…
Out comes the champagne as the three Red Bull reps spray each other and Lewis tries to join in.
140,000 fans at the Circuit of the Americas enjoyed that one. And we certainly did, too.
ANTHEM TIME
Shaq and Lewis shake hands as the Brit comes out to stand on second spot.
But now it is all about Verstappen as he takes the top spot and the caps are off for the Dutch national anthem.
Oh, and Shaq is standing next to him… and is almost as tall!
SHAQ IN STYLE
Shaquille O’Neal delivers the winning trophy – and the big man does it in style.
He arrives on a huge horned car – it really is quite bonkers – and ducks his way into the F1 garage.
He is up to the podium ready for the drivers to come up.
MAX THE WINNER
Verstappen: “We lost out in the start so had to try something else. The tyre war is high on 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.
“The fans have been incredible and amazing to see so many of you here. Hopefully we can do this for many years to come.”
SERGIO STRUGGLING
Perez describes that race as his ‘toughest race physically’.
No wonder he is necking a huge can of Red Bull!
LEWIS MESSAGE
Hamilton: “Firstly congrats to Max, great job today it was such a tough race, they had the upper hand this weekend we couldn’t ask for more.
“Thanks to my team: great pits stops, great hard work, what an amazing crowd, it’s an honour to perform here.
“This is our acceptance into the US what a place to be, I hope we get more races out here, you can tell how good the fans are!”
DOZEN DELIGHT
Hamilton did hold on for the fastest lap which means the gap is 12 points.
It was six just two hours ago.
Just to reiterate how strong Hamilton and Verstappen were, Perez was third 42 seconds back!
MAX CELEBRATES
The Dutchman jumps out of his Red Bull car and runs straight into his team.
What a moment for Verstappen. And what a moment for the championship race.
Lewis, still in his helmet, looks pretty dejected as he gets out after pulling up behind the P2 sign.
NINTCHDBPICT000688997673Credit: Getty
COMMISERATIONS LEWIS
Toto Wolff is on the radio to Hamilton.
Wolff: “Brilliant drive, brilliant, brilliant drive.”
‘CRUCIAL DRIVE’
Christian Horner said: “I’ve aged 25 years in that race. I didn’t think we could hang on.
“We were out of tyres.
“Mick cost us, he also gave us the DRS and alsmot gave me a heart attack.
“A crucial drive.
“It was big for us to beat Mercedes here. We know Lewis is a phenomenal driver around here.”
VERSTAPPEN WINS
What a pulsating race that was.
Hamilton did so well to catch Verstappen but Verstappen does even better to hold his rival off and win.
Red Bull are on the radio: “What a drive, masterful. That was classy.”
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX!
Wow wow wow – Verstappen takes the chequered flag!
LAST LAP
Hamilton did not get DRS down the back straight and that might be the chance of a win over…
LAST LAP
Verstappen still leads…
LAST LAP
We are on to the last lap!
Hamilton 0.9 seconds behind with DRS but Verstappen also gets DRS after the trouble with Schumacher.
Can Verstappen hold on?!
LAP 55
Hamilton dipped below a second. It is back to 1.1.
The wind is picking up to only add to the drama.
The leaders have caught Schumacher at the back.
Hamilton has a slight error at turn 11 and that has cost him.
But Schumacher took a while to get out of the way and that has annoyed Verstappen who had to go through dirty air.
LAP 54
Verstappen is doing enough as things stand.
He is still 1.1 seconds ahead and that means still no DRS advantage for Hamilton just yet.
Can Lewis get inside a second?
LAP 54
Here. We. Go.
Hamilton within 1.2 seconds now.
But he is running out of time in this race to get past!
1.1 now…
LAP 53
Hamilton has taken 0.4 seconds out of Verstappen’s lead and it is back to 1.5 seconds.
Raikkonen has taken a spin into the gravel and drops to 12th.
LAP 53
Bottas is being held off by Sainz in the battle for sixth and Vettel is up to tenth.
The dirty air is causing problems for Hamilton with Verstappen starting to pull away!
Incredible stuff.
LAP 52
Or is Hamilton saving a bit to give it absolutely everything in the final couple of laps?
There are just four to go… he hasn’t got long!
Verstappen is holding his position and P1 for now…
LAP 51
Verstappen is still 1.7 seconds ahead – in fact that’s an increase in the lead – and has the Dutchman been clever and saved enough in the tyres to see him through?
Hamilton wants to get inside a second for DRS.
LAP 51
Vettel is desperate to get in the points.
He is still behind Giovinazzi and Raikkonen in his attempt to secure the last of the championship points.
Alonso has been retired and that’s both Alpine cars out – it’s his rear wing that is the problem.
LAP 49
Hamilton is within two seconds now.
Remember, his tyres are eight laps younger than Verstappen’s and it is coming down to the last few laps – as both teams predicted early on in the race.
Credit: Getty
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
