Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 2nd position, and Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, spray Champagne on the podium
Autosport Plus
Analysis

The key details that boosted Red Bull and held back Hamilton in Verstappen’s USA victory

As the 2021 Formula 1 title battle winds towards its climax, the United States GP added another thrilling act in the Lewis Hamilton-Max Verstappen battle. Although Hamilton aced the start, Verstappen and Red Bull took the initiative with strategy and were richly rewarded, despite Mercedes' best efforts as the race went down to the wire

Formula 1’s Netflix documentary series, Drive to Survive, loves to engineer drama through creative licence. That’s apparent from its name. But the bumper, sellout 2021 United States Grand Prix crowd – the Austin venue boosted by new fans that have watched the series to the point it had to build new grandstands and bridges to extra infield viewing areas for the returning event – was treated to a true spectacle. One packed with real, scintillating, sporting drama.

Once again it was all about Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, with the former winning out in a thriller fought out on different strategies – after they’d once again gone wheel-to-wheel.

Previous article Perez was in "survival mode" amid illness struggle in US GP
Next article Ricciardo "happy to be dirty" in Sainz Austin F1 battle

More from Alex Kalinauckas

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?

F1 Formula 1
Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women? Is F1 blowing its "pivotal moment" to support the championship's women?
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call How Bearman's F1 debut will help Mercedes on its Hamilton replacement call
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might The rare Ferrari problem that made its Saudi GP harder against Red Bull's might
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP Ranked: The 10 F1 teams at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen heads dominant Red Bull 1-2, Bearman seventh
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races Why Saudi Arabian GP could deliver one of F1’s most "unpleasant" races
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3 Verstappen hopes "impressive" F1 debutant Bearman doesn't fixate on missing Q3
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc to pole

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe