Dutch driver Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, seized victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, snatching the win from Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in a dramatic finish. The race, held on the same weekend as the Suzuka showdown, saw Carlos Sainz of Ferrari crash out at the very first corner while Fernando Alonso, driving for Alpine, logged a notable recovery to finish seventh after a near-disaster. The result reshaped the season’s narrative as the championship picture continued to unfold.
Verstappen celebrated an eighth consecutive win for Red Bull, dedicating the Constructors’ Championship to team founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who had passed away the previous day. The Dutch ace added his 13th triumph of the season, extending his lead atop the drivers’ standings. Hamilton and Leclerc, the Monégasque frontrunner for Ferrari, trailed in the early stages but remained in close proximity as the race progressed.
The race offered contrasting fortunes for the two Spanish drivers involved. Sainz, who started from pole, capitalized on a chaotic start to edge out George Russell in the Mercedes at turn one. Alonso began 14th and fought his way back to seventh, overcoming a tough collision that briefly scattered the field. The afternoon’s events tested nerves and car control in equal measure.
There was no such luck for Sainz thereafter. Verstappen began with the pace and, after an early scare when he attempted to move inside, Russell forced him into a critical moment that left the Madrid-born driver with a DNF marker for the second straight race of the season. From that point, Verstappen controlled proceedings, while Hamilton pressed relentlessly, chasing the championship rival as the wind around Las Américas complicated tire wear and line choices for several teams.
On lap 18, a significant crash changed the mood of the afternoon. Alonso attempted to pass Lance Stroll when the Canadian made a late move that unsettled the Alpine. The impact sent Alonso’s car onto two wheels briefly and forced a lengthy pause in the action. Fortunately, the Spaniard escaped a red-flag restart unscathed and rejoined the field. The safety car period that followed regrouped the field, but Verstappen retained control as the race moved into its final legs.
As the action resumed, Verstappen, Hamilton, Sergio Pérez for Red Bull, Leclerc for Ferrari, Russell, and the Aston Martins topped the front with little surprise. The tires found their grip, and Hamilton surged to chase down the leader, echoing memories of past battles between the two champions.
Final standings at the United States Grand Prix, the nineteenth event of the season, captured a clear snapshot of the competitive order. Verstappen secured first place with a time of 1:42:11.687, followed by Hamilton in second place, 5.023 seconds behind. Leclerc claimed third, with Pérez completing the Red Bull one-two at 8.293 seconds. Russell held fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Lando Norris in fifth, and Fernando Alonso, who completed the top seven for Alpine. Vettel, Magnussen, and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten in a race that showcased the depth of talent across the grid.
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Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 1:42:11.687
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Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 5.023
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Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 7.501
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Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 8.293
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George Russell GBR Mercedes 44.815
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Lando Norris GBR McLaren 53.785
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Fernando Alonso ESP Alpine 55.078
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Sebastian Vettel GER Aston Martin 65.354
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Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas 65.834
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Yuki Tsunoda JPN AlphaTauri 70.910
And the World Championship standings after the race reflected Verstappen’s continued supremacy. Verstappen leads with 391 points as the season heads toward its conclusion, followed by Leclerc with 267, Perez with 265, Russell with 218, Sainz with 202, Hamilton with 198, Norris with 109, Ocon with 78, Alonso with 71, and Bottas with 46 to round out the top ten. The margin at the top confirms Verstappen’s grip on the title, while the chase pack remains tightly bunched behind as the calendar moves forward.