F1 U.S. Grand Prix Results: Verstappen Ties Record, Adds Exclamation Point to Title

Red Bull Racing are World Champions for the first time in nine years after Max Verstappen’s emotional triumph at the United States Grand Prix. The run ends eight consecutive Constructors' Championships (2014-2021) for Mercedes.

Autoweek breaks down some of the main talking points from the Circuit of the Americas.

Red Bull Racing ends Mercedes’ streak

It has been a certainty for several Grands Prix, but Red Bull mathematically clinched the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship in Austin, ending Mercedes’ record streak of eight in a row.

The title is Red Bull’s fifth overall since its inception in 2005, its first since 2013, and comes in the first year of existence of Red Bull Powertrains, the division that was formed in the aftermath of Honda’s official exit.

It was a fitting way for the team to pay tribute to Red Bull co-founder and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, whose death was announced shortly before qualifying on Saturday afternoon. There was a commemoration on the grid, with a moment of applause, and all eight current F1 drivers currently or previously affiliated with Red Bull stood together.

“It’s been a hugely emotional weekend,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. “He was such a giant of a man and has done so much, not just for Red Bull Racing but for Formula 1, and so we felt determined to go out and really honor him in a way that would make him proud.

"There was no black armbands, no minute silence, it was the embodiment of celebrating him and the best way to do that was the performance on circuit. After eight long years we’ve never stopped believing, we’ve never stopped picking ourselves up, brushing ourselves down, and never lost sight of what our goals and objectives are, which is to get on top of both world championships. And we’ve done that. That’s a testament to our staff, suppliers, partners, and just the spirit that he embodied that runs throughout all of Red Bull that has enabled us to achieve what many people would have thought had been impossible.”

Verstappen Equals Single-Season Victory Mark

Max Verstappen showed no signs of slowing down after winning his second world title last time out as he cruised to a record-equalling victory at the Circuit of the Americas.

After last year’s close fight with then title rival Lewis Hamilton at COTA, Verstappen had to battle in windy conditions on Sunday afternoon. Having taken the lead off the line Verstappen controlled proceedings but dropped to third through the second pit stop cycle after a slow wheel change. He overhauled Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc before hunting down leader Hamilton through the final stages of the race, making a move into Turn 12 from which Hamilton could not retaliate.

Verstappen went on to pick up win No. 13 of the year, equalling the record of Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2011).

“I mean obviously for us it has been a tough weekend,” said Verstappen. “And we really wanted to win today. It was looking great, then with that stop it was not the best! So we had to recover quite a bit and of course had a good battle with Charles, then it was about not damaging the tires too much, so I was not really catching like I wanted to towards Lewis but once I recovered the tire I could close it a bit step by step, then of course went for the move.

"I’m extremely happy to win in this difficult weekend for us. It was a race he’d (Mateschitz) have loved to see. I’m sad, but also incredibly proud of the way the team has performed. The people, the effort they have put into the car, has been enormous.”

Alonso Scores Despite Airborne Moment

Fernando Alonso came perilously close to a terrifying accident yet not only continued in the race but finished in seventh place.

Alonso attempted to pass future teammate Lance Stroll along the back straight but was sent airborne when the Aston Martin driver moved left. As Stroll had a large accident, and was fortunate to escape unharmed, Alonso’s Alpine tilted skywards before coming down to earth just before the barriers, which he swiped at speed, though miraculously sustained only minor damage.