Canadian Grand Prix Coverage: Max Verstappen Clinches Victory at US Grand Prix

Max Verstappen Wins the United States Grand Prix

By | October 22, 2022

Two weeks after clinching his third consecutive World Championship, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrated his 50th victory by winning the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The 26-year-old Dutch driver finished just two seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who was later disqualified due to excessive floor wear during post-race inspections.

Verstappen’s Dominance

With this win, Verstappen equalled his record of 15 wins in a single season, a record he set last year. He still has four more races this year to improve on this feat. Given the superior performance of his RB19 car, Verstappen is expected to raise the bar even higher.

Starting from the sixth position, Verstappen began his charge right from the first turn, overtaking George Russell of Mercedes. Despite being more than five seconds behind Lando Norris of McLaren, Verstappen remained calm and steadily moved past his opponents one by one. He eventually took the lead after the first tire change at the halfway point of the 56-lap race, by overtaking Norris on the 28th lap.

Despite facing brake issues and missing a few braking points, Verstappen held on to his lead, fending off Hamilton’s former second-place finish. “I struggled a lot with my brakes and missed a few braking points. It made things more difficult today. It was very tight at the end with the backmarkers. It’s incredible to win my 50th Grand Prix, I’m very proud, and I will continue to push for more,” Verstappen said in a post-race interview.

Disqualifications and Reshuffling

Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, who finished sixth, were disqualified by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for the same irregularities found during inspection. With their disqualifications, Lando Norris moved up to second place, achieving his 12th podium finish and his fourth consecutive podium this season. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari now occupies third place.

Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing secured fourth place, while George Russell of Mercedes climbed to fifth from seventh. Pierre Gasly of Alpine claimed sixth place after his teammate Esteban Ocon retired in the sixth lap following a collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who also had to retire. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, who started the race from the pit lane, finished in the seventh position. Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri, who opted for soft tires towards the end of the race, secured the fastest lap and an extra championship point. Alexander Albon of Williams and Logan Sargeant of Williams completed the top 10.

Looking Ahead

Max Verstappen’s reign in Formula 1 continues with his remarkable win at the United States Grand Prix. As the season draws to a close, fans and experts eagerly anticipate the remaining races to see if Verstappen can break his own record of 15 wins in a season. The intense competition between Verstappen and Hamilton has captivated motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, and their battle for supremacy is sure to leave a lasting mark on Formula 1 history.

As for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, getting disqualified from the United States Grand Prix is a major setback. They will have to regroup and focus on the remaining races to salvage their performances this season. The disqualifications also highlight the importance of strict adherence to technical regulations and inspections in maintaining fairness and transparency in Formula 1.

The United States Grand Prix showcased the excitement and unpredictability of Formula 1, with unexpected disqualifications and reshuffled standings. The upcoming races promise to be equally thrilling as the drivers continue to push their limits and fight for every point. Motorsport fans can look forward to an exhilarating end to the season, with Max Verstappen at the center of attention.