Despite qualifying sixth, Max Verstappen fought through the grid and won the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. With the victory, the 26-year-old Verstappen became the youngest F1 racer to accumulate 50 wins. The win also tied his own record of 15 P1 podiums in a season.
U.S. Grand Prix fan-favorite Sergio Perez did not fare so well. After qualifying ninth, Perez finished fourth. Though he missed the podium, fans unequivocally chanted his name and even booed Verstappen during the trophy ceremony.
Fortunately for Perez, Lewis Hamilton, who had initially finished second, was disqualified post-race for a technical breach in his car’s undercarriage.
Next to Verstappen, Lando Norris finished second, marking his fourth consecutive week on the podium. With the win, McLaren also leapfrogged Aston Martin Racing for fourth place in the constructor standings.
With only four races left in the 2023 Formula 1 season, the only thing that seems certain is that Verstappen will break his own record of wins in a season. However, the battle between Perez and Hamilton for second place in the drivers standings, as well as the battle between McLaren and Aston Martin Racing for fourth place in the constructors standing, still remain too close to call.
More must-reads: