Max Verstappen reels in Lewis Hamilton to win US Grand Prix in Texas

After a trying and emotional time for Red Bull a win for Max Verstappen at the US Grand Prix was surely the release he and his team required. He duly delivered to seal the constructors’ championship and dedicate his victory to the team’s founder and owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who died on Saturday. Yet it was far from straightforward and in that a timely reminder of how much the challenge from Lewis Hamilton, who was second, has been missed this year.

Verstappen, already champion this season, took the victory he and the team craved in a style indicative of just how strong their car has been this year. There was clearly a very personal satisfaction in winning on the weekend when it was announced Mateschitz had died at the age of 78. That he had to fight for it, it seems, pleased Verstappen even more when he paid tribute to Mateschitz.

“I had to give it everything and I pushed to the limit to come back. This win is definitely dedicated to Dietrich and what he has done for everyone.” he said. “It definitely means a lot to me and the team, he was so important for the whole team and so instrumental.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner echoed his feelings. “A very emotional moment, a big moment for the team and for everyone at Red Bull,” he said “A tribute to Dietrich for everything he has done for the team, for the company.”

The result ensured Red Bull have taken their first constructors’ title since 2013 and ended the remarkable run of eight in a row Mercedes began in 2014. A further morale boost after a weekend where the shadow of their breach of the 2021 budget cap has also hung heavy. On Saturday Verstappen was taunted by chants of “cheater” as he presented at a fan event and Horner felt he needed to launch a furious