Verstappen takes US GP win number 50 in strategic nail-biter

Max Verstappen clinched his 50th Formula 1 victory at the United States Grand Prix, fending off Lewis Hamilton in a battle of strategies.

The reigning world champion started sixth but expertly managed his mediums and hards to seal the win, despite late-race brake issues.

Hamilton applied immense pressure in the closing laps, having opted for an alternate two-stopper, but fell just 2.2 seconds short at the checkered flag.

Polesitter Charles Leclerc was quickly swallowed up by McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Hamilton off the line.

Verstappen slipped past Carlos Sainz early on and set off after the leaders.

Norris built a sizeable gap in the opening phase but Hamilton’s blistering pace on mediums saw him slash the deficit.

Verstappen dive-bombed Leclerc on lap 10 to grab third.

The first round of stops kicked off on lap 18, with frontrunners pitting for hards. Norris emerged ahead of Verstappen, who chased down the McLaren relentlessly.

On lap 28, Verstappen muscled his way past Norris under braking into turn 12 to grab the lead.

Hamilton, on an offset strategy, swept past the McLaren 10 laps later as Norris’ tires faded.

With newer rubber, the Mercedes ace rapidly reeled in Verstappen in the dying stages.

But despite brake issues, Verstappen did just enough to cling on, lapping a backmarker on the final tour to maintain a narrow winning margin.

Sainz snatched fourth from Leclerc late on, with Perez sixth. Norris completed the podium in third.

The strategic masterclass demonstrated Verstappen’s supreme racecraft and ability to extract the maximum from his machinery when not on pole.

His 50th career win is yet another milestone in a stellar season. For Hamilton, the spirited drive proved the W14’s pace and that Mercedes are getting ever closer to the front.

2023 US GP Results

Driver Standings

Team Standings