Emotional Verstappen victory in Austin – Red Bull is world champion

The Dutchman fought his way back to the lead on Sunday after a botched second pit stop and achieved his 13th Formula 1 victory of the season ahead of Austin record winner Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Verstappen, who started from second place, equaled the record set by Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).

At the front, Verstappen made the decision six laps before the end when he overtook Hamilton. The 37-year-old Brit is still waiting for his first win of the season - he celebrated at least one in each of his career years in the premier motorsport class. Red Bull can no longer take away the team title in the three remaining races.

Since 2013, the former industry leader has been waiting for the next triumph in the financially important constructors' championship; eight years in a row, the winner there was Mercedes. On a weekend marked by great emotions with the controversy over the additional expenses in 2021 and the death of the company founder in Texas, the time had come. Austin Grand Prix in memory of Mateschitz Even before it started, there was a burst of applause. The organizers showed a photo of the Austrian on the monitors, underneath it said: “Thank you Didi.” Over 100.000 spectators honored the deceased Mateschitz together with all the teams and drivers, including of course the former Red Bull successful driver Vettel. The champion from 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 seemed to be fighting back tears, while his former and current Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was able to at least smile a little again after the sad news less than 24 hours earlier.

Minute of silence at the Red Bull racing team for the deceased founder. © APA/getty / Peter Fox

Before it started, he and his wife Geri - once a member of the Spice Girls - showed superstar Ed Sheeran Verstappen's racing car in the Red Bull pit. Otherwise it was business as usual. Wearing sunglasses, Horner waited until Verstappen had parked his car in second position on the starting grid. Teammate Sergio Perez, who finished fourth, started from ninth place after an engine penalty. The declared goal: to secure the world title in the constructors’ championship for Mateschitz.

And after the first corner, Verstappen had already created the optimal conditions for this. Thanks to an excellent start, he pushed past pole man Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari on the powerful uphill stretch. The Spaniard then took the left bend very slowly, pulled inwards a little and was then pushed slightly from behind by Hamilton. The problem: On the inside, Hamilton's Mercedes colleague collided with Sainz, for whom the race was running.

Charles Leclerc fought his way forward thanks to good strategy. © APA/afp / JIM WATSON

A water leak on the Ferrari after the collision, for which Russell was given five seconds. Because Perez was also one of the winners in the second Red Bull after starting ninth in the first phase of the race and was behind Verstappen, Hamilton and Russell - without the five additional seconds - everything boiled down to Red Bull's next title triumph. Charles Leclerc had to start from twelfth place after a tenth place penalty, the Monegasse struggled, but was on his own after Sainz's exit.

At the front, Verstappen was only troubled by the wind, but he controlled the race and was determined to make his sponsor Mateschitz proud. “Without him I wouldn’t be sitting here now,” he emphasized before the race. The safety car phase caused tension Valtteri Bottas then caused new tension when he landed the Alfa Romeo in the gravel trap and triggered a safety car phase. As soon as the safety car was back in, Fernando Alonso caused a moment of shock when he drove his Alpine at high speed into Lance Stroll's Aston Martin.

The Spaniard's car took off at the front and only continued on the rear tires. Stroll's car crashed into the barrier and pretty much wrecked it. The safety car had to come out again, but fortunately the drivers remained uninjured. Alonso was even able to continue driving. Verstappen once again skillfully defended his lead against Hamilton when the safety car drove back into the pits. But then a bad tire change slowed the Dutchman down. “Nice, nice,” he radioed cynically to the pits. He had fallen behind Hamilton and Leclerc.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Emotional Verstappen victory in Austin – Red Bull is world champion

Max Verstappen won the Emotional Grand Prix for Red Bull in the USA with another world championship performance and also secured the constructors' title one day after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz.

Suggestions

Comments (0)