Max Verstappen had to come down pit road twice during Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.
Each time, he elected to pit numerous laps before his rival Lewis Hamilton came to get tires.
It proved to be the strategy that won him the race.
With just under 20 laps remaining in the race, Hamilton came out of pit road with much newer tires to try and chase down the No. 33 Red Bull Racing Honda and eat into the lead that Verstappen put on him.
However, despite closing rapidly on Verstappen, Hamilton didn’t even get close enough to make an attempt at a pass for the lead.
It resulted in Verstappen getting his eighth win of the 2021 season and extending his points lead to 12.
“I really didn’t think we could hang on at the end there, ” Red Bull’s Christian Horner said on the SkySports F1 broadcast. “That was such a long stint. For him to protect the tires, hang in there, and be quick where he needed to be – he deserves that victory today.”
Hamilton brought home another podium finish over Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez despite missing the victory.
He was asked about Formula 1’s involvement in the country after the race on the broadcast.
“I think this is definitely our acceptance into the US. Man, what a place to be,” Hamilton said. “I hope we get some more races out here.”
Five Races remain in the 2021 Formula 1 season. The next time these cars hit the track will be at November 7’s Mexico Grand Prix at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. The Mexico GP is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Formula 1 Results
US Grand Prix at COTA
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Sergio Perez
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Daniel Ricciardo
6. Valterri Bottas
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Lando Norris
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Sebastian Vettel
11. Antonio Giovinazzi
12. Lance Stroll
13. Kimi Raikkonen
14. George Russell
15. Nicholas Latifi
16. Mick Schumacher
17. Nikita Mazepin
18. Fernando Alonso
19. Esteban Ocon
20. Pierre Gasly
F1 Driver Points Standings
1. Max Verstappen 287.5 (LDR)
2. Lewis Hamilton 275.5 (-12)
3. Valterri Bottas 185 (-102.5)
4. Sergio Perez 150 (-127.5)
5. Lando Norris 149 (-128.5)
F1 Constructors Standings
1. Mercedes 460.5 (LDR)
2. Red Bull 437.5 (-23)
3. McLaren 254
4. Ferrari 250
5. Alpine Renault 104