Max Verstappen sees off Lewis Hamilton to win thrilling US Grand Prix

Max Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton with six laps remaining to win a thrilling US Grand Prix and deny the Mercedes driver his first win of the season.

Verstappen appeared on course to sail to the chequered flag and emulate Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel by taking a record-equalling 13 victories in a single year.

But the two-time world champion hit trouble at the Circuit of Americas with his final pit stop when he was left stationary for 11.1 seconds as Red Bull struggled to bolt on his front-left tyre.

With only 20 laps remaining, Verstappen’s miserable stop allowed Hamilton to take the lead.

Verstappen fell behind Charles Leclerc after his tyre trouble, but fought his way past the Ferrari driver with 15 laps left to set up a blockbuster finish as Hollywood star Brad Pitt watched the drama unfold from the back of Hamilton’s Mercedes garage.

As the lap counter ticked down, Hamilton’s lead began to evaporate and with 10 laps remaining, Verstappen moved to within 2sec of his Mercedes rival.

By lap 50 of 56, the margin stood at only 0.5sec as Hamilton’s silver mirrors suddenly became occupied with Verstappen’s blue machine. Verstappen did not waste any time to make his move.

On the 190mph charge to Turn 12, the newly crowned double world champion darted into Hamilton’s slipstream before jinking to the left and placing his Red Bull on the centre of the apex.

Hamilton tried to come back at the man, who so controversially denied him a record world crown in Abu Dhabi 10 months ago, but Verstappen held his nerve, despite warnings for exceeding track limits, to take the spoils.

MOST F1 DRIVERS' TITLES 2 - Fernando Alonso (2005, 2006): The Spanish driver lifted the title two years on the spin with Renault. The first wih