Verstappen clinches record-equalling 13th win of 2022 in United States

Max Verstappen clinched a record-equalling win in the United States, besting Lewis Hamilton in Texas.

With a number of drivers hit with grid penalties, the United States Grand Prix was set to be a fascinating race as the sport began its tour of the Americas in 2022. With the driver’s championship wrapped up, the gloves were off as Carlos Sainz led Max Verstappen.

Verstappen pounced immediately into the lead while polesitter Sainz spun, making contact with George Russell as the Brit scrapped with his Mercedes teammate, overshooting into turn one and being handed a five-second penalty.

The world champion surged ahead while his teammate pushed through the field, breaking past the Aston Martins on lap seven. After a strong qualifying, it was clear that the Silverstone-based squad had a strong package in Austin.

However, Hamilton remained on the leader’s tail, trailing his 2021 title rival by three seconds before pitting on lap 13. Verstappen would remain ahead, before charging on into the distance.

On lap 18, Valtteri Bottas would spin into the gravel trap, ending his own race while bringing the pack back together. Racing would resume on lap 22 before a clash between Fernando Alonso and future teammate Lance Stroll would curtail racing once again.

Alonso would continue on while Stroll’s AMR22 would be too damaged to continue. The crash would not stop Alonso, the Spaniard clawing his way back into the top seven by the end of the Grand Prix.

After the safety car ended, a brave move on lap 30 saw Leclerc storm down the inside of the Red Bull driver, breaking onto the podium with Hamilton and Verstappen in his sights.

In the second round of pitstops, however, everything went wrong for Verstappen. A slow stop for the Dutchman, described by him as “******* beautiful” over team radio, left him behind both Hamilton and Leclerc, the seven-time world champion leading the United States Grand Prix.

The two 2022 championship contenders would do battle on lap 39, Verstappen’s first attempt blocked by Leclerc before breaking past the Ferrari later that lap. The fight was on for the race lead, and the Silver Arrows wanted gold.

The battle would commence on lap 50, Verstappen snatching the lead from Hamilton despite the Briton’s best efforts to stay ahead. The Mercedes would stay within one second for a few more laps, before dropping back on lap 54.

Another win for Verstappen would be his 13th, equalling Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record of wins in one season while Red Bull would clinch the constructor’s championship.

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