Verstappen passes Hamilton late to claim United States GP, constructors' title for Red Bull
Max Verstappen passed rival Lewis Hamilton with six laps remaining to claim the United States Grand Prix on Sunday and secure the constructors' championship for Red Bull for the first time since 2013.
One race after winning his second straight drivers' championship, Verstappen helped put a bow on Red Bull's title. It ends an eight-year run of dominance for Mercedes. Red Bull won four straight constructors' titles from 2010-13.
"We had a big chance to win the constructors' championship here, and we did it in style," Verstappen said.
VERSTAPPEN WINS AGAIN IN THE US OF A!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 23, 2022
The champion equals the record of 13 wins in a single season to secure the Constructor's Championship in honour of Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
Hamilton comes close to the win in 2nd and Leclerc completes the podium.#USGP pic.twitter.com/TjnPWVbESg
Verstappen also equaled Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher for the most wins in a single season with 13. Verstappen and Vettel each accomplished the feat in 19 races, while Schumacher did it in 18.
It's Hamilton's third second-place finish of the season, as he's still looking for his first win of 2022. He has three more chances to secure a victory this year to ensure he's won at least one race in all 16 of his F1 campaigns.
"I did everything I could to try and stay ahead, but they were just too quick today," Hamilton said. "The car was a handful today. It felt amazing to be in the lead. I felt so much hope. We'll hold on to that and keep pushing. It will come to us."
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who started 12th, claimed third for his fifth consecutive podium. With the result, Leclerc moved two points ahead of Sergio Perez for second in the drivers' standings.
Pole-sitter Carlos Sainz collided with George Russell on the first corner of Lap 1 and was forced to retire from the race. It's the Ferrari driver's sixth retirement of the season and second in a row. As a result, his lead in the drivers' standings over Hamilton for fifth place shrunk to four points.
SAINZ SPINS OUT AT THE START!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 23, 2022
The pole sitter has retired from the #USGP after contact from George Russell in Turn 1 on the initial start.
Verstappen takes the lead.#Formula1 pic.twitter.com/DH6zRuvaoF
Alpine's Fernando Alonso, who finished seventh, was relegated to 15th after receiving a 30-second penalty because his car was sent back onto the track in unsafe condition, F1 announced.
The teams now head south for the Mexican GP. Verstappen has won the race in three of the last four times.