Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing emerged victorious at the 2023 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, held at the renowned Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This milestone win marked Verstappen’s 50th Formula 1 victory, with 15 of those wins achieved in the current season alone. By equaling his own record of 15 wins in a single season, which he set the previous year, Verstappen has demonstrated his exceptional talent on the racetrack. With four races remaining on the calendar, Verstappen is on the brink of breaking his own record and solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s greats.
The Formula 1 weekend in Austin started off with Verstappen showcasing his prowess by winning the Sprint race on Saturday. However, his performance during Friday’s qualifying session was not at its best, as he qualified sixth on the grid. This meant that he had to start Sunday’s main race from a position well behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who secured pole position, and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who also started at the front.
Nevertheless, Verstappen displayed incredible skill and determination throughout the race. Right from the start, he made a clean start and swiftly moved up to fifth, leaving Mercedes’ George Russell behind. On lap five, Verstappen overtook Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, gaining fourth place. Shortly thereafter, he seized the opportunity to pass Leclerc, further advancing his position.
Verstappen’s race strategy and pit stop tactics played a crucial role in his victory. On lap 16, a brilliantly executed pit stop undercut allowed him to leapfrog past Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, leaving only Norris ahead. Verstappen patiently waited for his chance to overtake the McLaren driver, which came on lap 28. Utilizing the Drag Reduction System (DRS), Verstappen closed the gap and skillfully maneuvered his way past Norris at Turn 12, securing the lead and maintaining it until the finish line.
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Despite Verstappen’s dominance, the race was not without its share of setbacks for several drivers. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon were forced to retire due to issues with their respective cars. Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri, who had missed the past few rounds due to a wrist injury, made a commendable return to the grid, albeit finishing at the back of the pack.
Following the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen, who had already clinched his third world championship at the previous race in Qatar, currently leads the standings in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with a total of 466 points. His fellow Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez holds second place with 240 points, while Hamilton sits in third with 201 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull has already secured the title and currently boasts 706 points. Mercedes follows closely with 344 points, and Ferrari trails in third place with 322 points. The next race on the Formula 1 calendar is the Mexican Grand Prix, scheduled to take place this weekend.
As for the full results of the thrilling United States Grand Prix, they are as follows:
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
D) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +2.225 seconds
2) Lando Norris, McLaren +10.730 seconds
3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +15.134 seconds
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing +18.460 seconds
D) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +24.662 seconds
5) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +24.999 seconds
6) Pierre Gasly, Alpine +47.996 seconds
7) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +48.696 seconds
8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +74.385 seconds
9) Alexander Albon, Williams + 91.014 seconds
10) Logan Sargeant, Williams +87.998 seconds
11) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +89.904 seconds
12) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +98.601 seconds
13) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo +1 lap
14) Kevin Magnussen, Haas +1 lap
15) Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri +1 lap
NC) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – DNF
NC) Oscar Piastri, McLaren – DNF
NC) Esteban Ocon, Alpine – DNF
The 2023 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix showcased Verstappen’s exceptional talent and determination, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. With the season approaching its climax, fans eagerly anticipate the forthcoming races to witness whether Verstappen can shatter his own record and etch his name in the Formula 1 history books.
