Verstappen wins US GP as Red Bull take constructors' crown

Max Verstappen fought back from a calamitous pitstop to win the US Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday as his Red Bull team took the Formula One constructors' title a day after the death of billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz.

The title, clinched with three races to spare, ended an eight-year streak by Mercedes whose seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton scented a first victory of the year but ended up second at the Circuit of the Americas.

"That one was for Dietrich," said Verstappen after taking the chequered flag.

The title was Red Bull's first since 2013, when they completed a fourth successive title double with Germany's Sebastian Vettel at the end of the sport's V8 era.

Ferrari had needed to score 19 points more than Red Bull at the Texas track but Charles Leclerc was the Italian team's sole finisher, fighting his way to third from 12th on the grid.

Team mate Carlos Sainz, who started on pole position, retired with a damaged car after a first-lap collision with Mercedes's George Russell.

Red Bull now have an unbeatable 656 points to Ferrari's 469.

Verstappen's win was his 13th of the season, equalling the Formula One record held jointly with Ferrari great Michael Schumacher and Vettel, and the 33rd of his career and second in a row in Texas.

The Dutch 25-year-old secured his second title in Japan two weeks ago.

"Max Verstappen you are world champion, we are world champions, thank you so much," team boss Christian Horner told him over the team radio after Red Bull's eighth win in a row and 15th in 19 races.

"And thank you Dietrich Mateschitz for everything that you have done for us, for this team. These championships are for you," he added.

Verstappen seized the lead into the first corner and was in control when he made his