Sunday, October 23, 2022
19:59
Max Verstappen recovered from a calamitous pit stop to win the Formula One United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday, while his team Red Bull took over the constructors’ title a day after the death of its owner, the billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz.
The title, won with three races to go, ended an eight-year run of dominance by Mercedeswhose pilot Lewis Hamilton -seven times world champion- was about to achieve his first victory of the year, but finished second in the Circuit of the Americas.
“That was for Dietrich“, said Verstappen after passing under the checkered flag.
The crown was the first for Red Bull since 2013, when he completed a fourth consecutive double with the German Sebastian Vettel at the end of the sport’s V8 era.
Ferrari needed to score 19 points more than Red Bull on the Texas circuit, but Charles Leclerc He was the only one of the Italian team that managed to finish the race, finishing in third place after starting from twelfth place.
His teammate Carlos Sainzwho started from pole position, retired with the car damaged after a first lap collision with the Mercedes of George Russell.
Red Bull now has an unbeatable advantage of 656 points compared to 469 Ferrari.
the victory of Verstappen was the thirteenth of the season, equaling the best mark in the formula 1which jointly hold two multi-champions as Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, and it was also the 33rd of his career and the second consecutive in Texas.
The 25-year-old Dutchman secured his second title in Japan two weeks ago.
“Max Verstappen you are world champion, we are world champions, thank you very much”, said the team leader, Christian Horneron the team radio after the eighth consecutive victory of Red Bull and fifteenth in 19 races.
“And thanks Dietrich Mateschitz for everything you have done for us, for this team. These championships are for you,” he added.
ERROR EN BOXES
Verstappen he took the lead into the first corner and was in control of the test when he made his second stop to switch from hard tires to mediums on lap 36 of a scheduled 56.
The stoppage lasted 11.1 seconds, as the left front wheel nut was not tightened and the mechanics had to find another gun.
He returned to the track in sixth position, ahead of Leclercwho had also pitted, while Hamilton He was virtually leading the race in fourth position, since the three who were ahead of the Briton had not yet entered the pits.
“Precious” he said Verstappen sarcastically over the radio.
The Dutchman then set out to reduce the distance with determination. He went on to Leclerc with poise and was back in front with six laps to go, crossing the finish line 5.023 seconds ahead of Hamilton.
“It was difficult. It was good and then, of course, the pit stop was a little longer than we would have liked, I had to fight again to advance. Today we gave everything”, said the champion .
The Mexican Sergio “Checo” Perezof Red Bullwas fourth, followed by Russellwho secured an extra point for fastest lap, while Lando Norris finished sixth with McLaren.
The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was seventh with his Alpineproperty of Renaultdespite a collision with his future teammate in Aston Martin, Lance Strollwhich caused the safety car to come out a second time.
The first was caused by Valtteri Bottasof Alfa Romeowhich went off the track on lap 18.
Vettel was eighth to Aston Martinafter briefly leading the race and also suffering a lengthy pit stop, while Kevin Magnussen was ninth with Haas y Yuki Tsunoda got the last point AlphaTauriproperty of Red Bull.
