Max Verstappen has recorded his thirteenth Grand Prix win of the season in the USA. After Sebastian Vettel (2013) and Michael Schumacher (2004), he is only the third Formula 1 driver to reach this number in one season.

Verstappen has three more chances to become the record holder alone from next week in Mexico. More races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi will follow in November.

After two safety car situations, Verstappen had the best papers for victory, but a bad pit stop threw the world champion far back. One of the wheel wrenches used to screw the tires on and off the car stalled. A rare setback for Verstappen’s team that cost a lot of time.

The Red Bull Racing driver was sentenced to catch up and initially had to chase Charles Leclerc. The Monegasse was quickly overtaken by Verstappen and with six laps to go the Dutchman also managed to pass Lewis Hamilton after a nice wheel-to-wheel battle.

Red Bull Racing takes the constructors’ title

Two weeks ago, Verstappen secured the world title in Japan, but the fight for the constructors’ title was not yet decided. With Verstappen’s victory and a fourth place for Sergio Pérez, behind Hamilton and Leclerc, Ferrari can no longer get past Red Bull Racing.

For the racing team set up by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died on Saturday, it is the first constructors’ title since 2013. Mercedes then won the constructors’ title eight years in a row.

Verstappen had an excellent start. Before the first corner he had already caught up with Carlos Sainz, who had started from pole position. In an attempt to attack Verstappen, Sainz sent in but was hit by George Russell’s Mercedes. It cost Sainz his match. Russell was penalized with a five-second penalty for causing the collision.

It happened behind Verstappen’s back, who managed to stay out of trouble and drove away from Hamilton and his teammate Russell.

Verstappen’s teammate Pérez meanwhile climbed to fourth place. Pérez qualified fourth on Saturday but had to start the race from ninth place due to a grid penalty.

Twice the safety car on the track

After the first pit stops, the field was pushed together again when the safety car came out. This was due to a crash by Valtteri Bottas, who landed in the gravel after losing control of his car.

After a pit stop by Leclerc, Verstappen regained the lead. Shortly after the safety car had disappeared from the track and Verstappen had put his foot down again, the same safety car returned.

Fernando Alonso tried to pass Lance Stroll but the Canadian went off his line and Alonso fell behind. The Spaniard’s Aston Martin shot up with two front tires but miraculously – after a visit to the pit lane – was able to continue. The race was over for Stroll.

Rare pit stop error

Verstappen had the best papers until the stuck wheel gun made for a rarely bad pit stop. Verstappen needed a lot of time. “Great,” he replied cynically over the radio. Normally Red Bull Racing do a very good job at pit stops, but this time it was different.

As a result, Verstappen ended up behind Hamilton and Leclerc. He had the Monegasque after a battle of a few laps, after which the hunt for seven-time world champion Hamilton began.

The Brit is still waiting for his first GP win of the season and came closer than anywhere else in Texas in 2022. In the end, however, Verstappen was not there again.