F1 United States Grand Prix Race at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas

F1 United States Grand Prix race at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas on October 24, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

If there ever was a time for Max Verstappen to flinch in this riveting Formula One championship battle with Lewis Hamilton, it would have been Sunday in the closing laps of the U.S. Grand Prix.

The young Dutchman seeking his first world championship was being chased by the seven-time champion, and Hamilton was rapidly closing in on the lead under the hot Texas sun at the Circuit of the Americas. The intensity of the tightest championship race in years might have derailed a different driver, especially when Hamilton pulled within 1 second on the final lap, but Verstappen thrived under pressure and won his eighth race of the season.

“It was exciting, the pressure was on, not knowing how quick Lewis was going to get you,” Verstappen said. “We managed to hang on at the end.”

The victory doubled Verstappen’s lead over Hamilton to 12 points in the standings with five races remaining and could prove to be a pivotal win in this classic championship battle. Verstappen and Red Bull won on a track where Hamilton and Mercedes have been dominant for years, Hamilton is a five-time winner at COTA, and he made Verstappen work for the win.

Hamilton chased Verstappen over the final 18 laps and maybe if there had been one more lap, he might have caught Verstappen and reclaimed the points lead. The 24-year-old now has some breathing room heading into Mexico City, a high-altitude stronghold for Red Bull. Hamilton is seeking a record eighth F1 title, and fifth in a row.

“Congratulations to Max, he did a great job today. It was such a tough race,” Hamilton said. “Got a good start and gave it absolutely everything, but in the end of the day, they just had the upper hand this weekend.”

As the popularity of Formula One explodes in the United States, the championship rivals delivered a dramatic finish in front of an estimated crowd of 140,000. It was one of the largest sporting events since the start of the pandemic and drew the rich and famous to the Austin circuit.

Among the celebrities in attendance were actor Ben Stiller, rapper Meghan Thee Stallion, golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis champion Serena Williams, who all participated in the pre-race grid walk. Shaquille O’Neal hosted a post-race DJ dance party and delivered the winner’s trophy to the podium, where the 7-footer loomed large over Verstappen and Hamilton.

Sunday was the final race in the Circuit’s original 10-year contract, but the United States Grand Prix is on the 2022 race calendar. Track President Bobby Epstein has said he expects to get a new long-term deal from F1.

“It’s amazing to be here, but also to see so many (fans) around the track,” Verstappen said before stepping to the podium as fans rushed onto the track for the celebration. “Hopefully we can do this for many years to come.”

Hamilton and Verstappen kept the temperature rising all weekend. First, Verstappen called Hamilton a “stupid idiot” and flipped him the middle finger after an aggressive driving move in Friday practice. Hamilton later dismissed it as “fun and games.” Verstappen then edged him for pole position on the final lap of qualifying Sunday.

All of it set up a fierce fight for the lead into Sunday’s first turn because the winner at COTA has always come from the front row. Hamilton quickly jumped past Verstappen and the two traded the lead four times over 56 laps. It was a breathless start as Verstappen and Hamilton have collided twice this season and the risk of another one was high. This time Verstappen backed off the first corner and let Hamilton take the lead “to avoid any trouble.” That was the only moment of potential danger for either car all day.

The drivers didn’t seem to carry any hard feelings from the previous incidents when the race was finished. When Hamilton clinched the championship here in 2015, he flippantly tossed his hat to sulking teammate Nico Rosberg. After Sunday’s checkered flag, Hamilton and Verstappen exchanged fist bumps in pit lane, then clinked champagne bottles on the podium.

Yet Hamilton knows Sunday’s result was a missed victory on a favorable circuit as Verstappen fights to dethrone him in the championship. Hamilton acknowledged Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where Verstappen has won twice, is a “very strong circuit” for Red Bull. So is the next race in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where Verstappen won in 2019.

“It’s going to be tough,” Hamilton said.

Verstappen has had high expectations since he first joined the F1 grid as a 17-year-old in 2015. Hamilton, at 36 a series veteran, has been the dominant figure in F1 for nearly a decade and has won four consecutive championships. One more Hamilton title will break his tie with Michael Schumacher for most in F1. But he hasn’t been in a fight like this in a long time.

After his post-race celebration, Verstappen was quickly back to all business. He was as unflappable about the unfolding title chase in his favor as he was holding off Hamilton on the final laps.

“This doesn’t really change a lot,” Verstappen said. “This is all about details. A win doesn’t give me more confidence. We are all confident. We need to nail details, starting in Mexico.”

Sergio Perez finished third to put both Red Bull’s on the podium, but the Mexican raced without access to water and called it one of the most physical race he’s ever experienced. (Source: AP)

United States Grand Prix 2021 Race Results

Pos	No	Driver	Car	Laps	Time/Retired	Pts
1	33	Max Verstappen	RED BULL RACING HONDA	56	1:34:36.552	25
2	44	Lewis Hamilton	MERCEDES	56	+1.333s	19
3	11	Sergio Perez	RED BULL RACING HONDA	56	+42.223s	15
4	16	Charles Leclerc	FERRARI	56	+52.246s	12
5	3	Daniel Ricciardo	MCLAREN MERCEDES	56	+76.854s	10
6	77	Valtteri Bottas	MERCEDES	56	+80.128s	8
7	55	Carlos Sainz	FERRARI	56	+83.545s	6
8	4	Lando Norris	MCLAREN MERCEDES	56	+84.395s	4
9	22	Yuki Tsunoda	ALPHATAURI HONDA	55	+1 lap	2
10	5	Sebastian Vettel	ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES	55	+1 lap	1
11	99	Antonio Giovinazzi	ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI	55	+1 lap	0
12	18	Lance Stroll	ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES	55	+1 lap	0
13	7	Kimi Räikkönen	ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI	55	+1 lap	0
14	63	George Russell	WILLIAMS MERCEDES	55	+1 lap	0
15	6	Nicholas Latifi	WILLIAMS MERCEDES	55	+1 lap	0
16	47	Mick Schumacher	HAAS FERRARI	54	+2 laps	0
17	9	Nikita Mazepin	HAAS FERRARI	54	+2 laps	0
NC	14	Fernando Alonso	ALPINE RENAULT	49	DNF	0
NC	31	Esteban Ocon	ALPINE RENAULT	40	DNF	0
NC	10	Pierre Gasly	ALPHATAURI HONDA	14	DNF	0

Formula One
Formula One is the highest class of international auto racing for single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the premier forms of racing around the world since its inaugural season in 1950. A Formula One season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, which take place worldwide on both purpose-built circuits and closed public roads. While Europe is the sport's traditional base, the championship operates globally, with 13 of the 23 races in the 2021 season taking place outside Europe.

Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is the premier destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the United States. Just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music. At its heart is a 3.41-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world's most exacting competitors while providing a thrilling spectacle for audiences.

The 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit takes advantage of the naturally undulating landscape, including an intimidating 133-foot hill at Turn 1. It has hosted the Formula 1 United States Grand Pix, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, ESPN's X Games, the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and more. Nestled within the track is Germania Insurance Amphitheater, the largest permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Texas, and its 251-foot signature observation tower.

Formula One
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Circuit of The Americas
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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