Verstappen claimed his title in the US Grand Prix Sprint. Image: Getty Images.
(The Post News)– Max Verstappen claimed his championship title once again in the United States Formula One Grand Prix Sprint race on Saturday. But it was an eventful contest that ended in heartbreak for McLaren.
The drama unfolded almost immediately after the lights went out. As Verstappen launched cleanly from pole, chaos erupted behind him when Oscar Piastri’s McLaren was clipped by Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber going into the first corner. The contact sent Piastri straight into his teammate Lando Norris, wiping out both McLarens in one devastating moment for the papaya team.
While Hülkenberg limped away with front-wing damage and fell down the order, Verstappen stayed out of trouble at the front. He kept his cool under pressure from Mercedes’ George Russell and held firm through two Safety Car periods to take a confident victory.
The race eventually ended behind the Safety Car after a late collision between Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon brought proceedings to a halt. Russell settled for second place, while Carlos Sainz put in an impressive drive to claim third for Williams, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in fourth and fifth.
Alex Albon brought the second Williams home in sixth, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda took seventh, and Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli inherited the final point in eighth after Haas driver Ollie Bearman was penalized for a collision.
Verstappen’s win earned him eight crucial points, closing the gap in the championship battle to 55 points behind leader Piastri and 33 behind Norris. The Dutchman’s calm and clinical performance stood in stark contrast to McLaren’s disastrous afternoon, as both of his main rivals were forced to retire before completing a single lap.
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