Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (Netherlands) squeezes Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (UK) at the start of the F1 US Grand Prix Auto Race at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, October 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. .. .. (AP Photo / Eric Gay)
Austin, Texas (AP) -Max Verstappen doubles championship ranking in eight season races over F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton on Sunday’s final thrilling lap at the US Grand Prix I made it.
Verstappen, who took part in the Circuit of the Americas and led Hamilton by 6 points, has led 7 champions by 12 points in the remaining 5 races.
Hamilton of Mercedes lost to Verstappen on the last 18 laps, cutting the Red Bull driver’s lead in less than a second by the final lap. But he couldn’t make a pass at the end and settled down second.
Verstappen, a 24-year-old Dutchman chasing his first championship, can now afford to head to Mexico City, Red Bull’s highland hub.
Hamilton, the fifth-time COTA winner who was unable to catch Verstappen in the end, is seeking a record eighth F1 title.
“Congratulations to Max. We did a great job today. It was a very tough race,” Hamilton said. “We got off to a good start and gave absolutely everything, but after all, they just got the upper hand this weekend.”
As F1’s popularity exploded in the United States, championship rivals achieved a dramatic finish in the burning Texas sun in front of an estimated 140,000 spectators. It has been one of the biggest sporting events since the start of the pandemic, attracting rich and famous people to the Austin circuit.
Among the celebrities attended were actor Ben Stiller, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, golfer Rory McIlroy, and tennis champion Serena Williams, all of whom participated in the pre-race grid walk. Shaquille O’Neal hosted a post-race DJ dance party and delivered the winning trophy to the podium. There, a 7-foot player was slamming over Verstappen and Hamilton.
Sunday was the last race of the circuit’s first 10-year contract, but the US Grand Prix is on the 2022 race calendar. Truck President Bobby Epstein said he hopes to sign a new long-term deal from F1.
“It’s great to be here, but it’s also great to have a lot of (fans) around the track,” Verstappen said when the fans rushed to the track before going on the podium. “I hope we can do this for years to come.”
Verstappen and Hamilton were trapped in a tense battle throughout the weekend. At first Verstappen called Hamilton a “stupid idiot” and flipped his middle finger during Friday practice. Verstappen then beat Hamilton to take pole position on the final lap of qualifying Sunday.
The COTA winner always comes from the front row, so it set up a fierce battle for the lead towards the first turn. Hamilton quickly jumped over Verstappen, and the two exchanged leads four times in 56 laps.
But Hamilton couldn’t finally make another pass. If Mercedes missed a victory on the dominant circuit and Verstappen insisted on taking Hamilton’s throne, Sunday’s results could prove to be crucial.
Verstappen has been very excited since he first joined the F1 grid in 2015 at the age of 17. Hamilton, a 36-year-old veteran of the series, has been a dominant F1 player for 10 years and has won four consecutive titles.
Another Hamilton title will break most Michael Schumacher ties in F1. But he hasn’t been fighting like this for a long time.
The US Grand Prix was canceled in 2020 due to a coronavirus pandemic and has returned prosperously as fans gathered to see the best championship duel in F1 years.
Sergio Perez finished third and put both Red Bulls on the podium, but the Mexicans raced without water, calling it one of the most physical races they’ve ever experienced. ..
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Verstappen wins F1 US Grand Prix and extends title chase lead | WGN Radio 720
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