AUSTIN, Texas — Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Saturday’s Formula 1 Sprint Race at Circuit of The Americas.
Starting from the pole, Verstappen drove his Red Bull machine to victory in the preliminary event for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s triumph came after McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri, the series point leader, and Lando Norris were caught up in a first-lap accident.
Verstappen led cleanly away from pole, the McLaren of Piastri was tagged by Nico Hulkenberg’s Kick Sauber into the first corner, which then sent the Australian into teammate Lando Norris.
This put both of the papaya squad’s cars out of the running, while Hulkenberg dropped down the order after sustaining damage.
Verstappen held off Mercedes driver George Russell by .395 seconds to secure the victory.
Carlos Sainz was third for Williams, while Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed the top five.
