Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton for his first win of the year – VG

A bad pit stop could cost Max Verstappen (24) a victory in a Formula 1 race in the United States on Sunday night. Lewis Hamilton (37) and the Mercedes team had a chance for their first victory of the year – but they couldn’t take on the Dutchman in the end.

Verstappen claimed his thirteenth win of the season. It’s my crossover to Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).

– That was for Dietrich, says Verstappen – referring to the fact that Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz died on Saturday.

And so Red Bull also took home the gold in the constructors’ championship – for the first time since 2013.

The 440,000 spectators in Austin this weekend enjoyed a good race – although the driver’s world championship was already decided with Max Verstappen winning.

I did everything I could, but it wasn’t enough, says Lewis Hamilton in an interview on the scene.

The end of the race was a repeat of the entire 2021 season: a great duel between Verstappen and Hamilton. The Dutchman caught up with Hamilton on every lap – but there was one important thing: the Briton had solid tyres, while Verstappen was driving average. That may be Hamilton’s advantage.

– It means a lot to both of them, says Atle Gulbrandsen on the Viaplay broadcast.

After 50 of 56 laps, Verstappen was able to overtake Hamilton – and although the Briton kept fine, he was nowhere near reclaiming the lead.

Thus Max Verstappen won, ahead of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for third. Sergio Perez came fourth and George Russell fifth.

Carlos Sainz was the better center at the start, but the joy continued into the first corner when he bumped into George Russell. The Spaniard’s wheeled car was moved to the garage due to a water leak.

Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc started 12th after qualifying second. He got a ten place penalty for changing the engine and turbo.

After 22 laps, there was a major accident between Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll – which meant the safety car had to get in.

However, Max Verstappen seemed to be on course for a certain victory when Red Bull spoiled it at the final stop. They couldn’t get the left front tire, and the Dutchman lost a lot of ground.

“Beautiful, Verstappen exclaimed sternly to the team’s management over the radio.

Verstappen’s problems meant that Mercedes and Hamilton saw the possibility of winning – but the world champion resisted.