Max Verstappen's 13th victory seals constructors title for Red Bull
The action-packed United States Grand Prix set the stage for the crowning moment of this year's constructor's champions.
Red Bull Racing has scored their first Formula One constructor's championship since 2013, and their fifth title overall as Max Verstappen took victory in Austin ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Going into the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari needed to outscore Red Bull by 19 points to stay in the hunt for the teams' title, but it was soon apparent that the title race was over. Pole-sitter Carlos Sainz was spun around in the first corner by George Russell and subsequently forced his retirement in the race.
With only one remaining Ferrari in the race, Red Bull only needed to bring both their cars home to the finish. And did so in a dominant fashion. Max Verstappen charged back in front late in the race after a slow pit stop dropped him behind Hamilton and Leclerc. With six laps to go, Verstappen took the lead from Hamilton and never looked back to take the chequered flag for his 13th win of the season, equalling the record set by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. His teammate Sergio Perez finished 4th.
Red Bull Racing's victory in Austin is also a fitting tribute to their late co-founder and owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who passed away last October 22. Mateschitz was instrumental in bringing the Red Bull name to F1 after he purchased Ford-owned Jaguar Racing in 2005.
With three races left to go and both titles claimed, the only thing to look forward to now is who will stop Max Verstappen from breaking the record for most wins in a single season.