Max Verstappen delivered a remarkable drive at the Circuit of the Americas to secure the 33rd win of his F1 career and help ensure that Oracle Red Bull Racing won its first constructors’ title since 2013.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme following the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull.
Just one day after the sad passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, Verstappen showed plenty of class and no short amount of fighting spirit as he triumphed in duels with Ferrari’s Charles LeClarec and a resurgent Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes to secure victory.
Verstappen may have already secured his second world title, but he was determined to help his team clinch the constructors’ crown. Having controlled the early part of the race, his final pit stop handed the lead to Hamilton and also dropped him behind Leclerc.
However, Verstappen’s incredible straight-line speed would see him take the lead with six laps remaining and he held on to secure a 13th win of the season – equalling the record for wins in a season, held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 during the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
Sergio Pérez would also deliver a masterful drive as he fought back from ninth on the grid to finish fourth. The Mexican driver has now slipped to third in the driver standings but is just two points behind LeClerc with three races remaining.
Pérez will be hoping to excel in front of a home crowd at next Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix, while Verstappen will look to make history and become the first driver in F1 history to win 14 races in a single season.
Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda secured another points finish as he finished in 10th, while teammate Pierre Gasly had to settle for 14th place.
Speaking after the race, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner, said: “A very emotional moment, a big moment for the team and for everyone at Red Bull, a tribute to Dietrich for everything he has done for the team, for the company. God bless him.