Verstappen eyes 13th victory of the season at US Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen will look to earn a record-equalling 13th win of the season after another impressive showing in qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas. The Dutch driver was unable to match the speed of the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc but showed plenty of pace as he claimed third place.
However, the now two-time world champion will start Sunday’s race from second on the grid as LeClerc has a 10-place penalty. Verstappen’s Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Pérez was fourth, but will start from ninth because of a five-place grid penalty.
Should there be an Oracle Red Bull Racing victory and fastest lap bonus point for either Verstappen or Pérez at the United Stated Grand Prix then the team would also wrap up their first constructors’ title since 2013.
Winning the Constructor’s Title
There are 191 points available across the final four races with Oracle Red Bull Racing’s current advantage over Ferrari at 165 and 147 points available after the United States GP is completed.
Ferrari must outscore their rivals by 19 points at the Circuit of the Americas with a one-two finish and the bonus point for fastest lap offering 44 points to take it to the next race.
Despite that, Oracle Red Bull Racing could simply finish in P3 and P4 with Verstappen and Pérez to start the title celebrations thanks to 27 points being on offer for those two positions.
If Ferrari fail to maximize their points return, an Oracle Red Bull Racing victory and fastest lap bonus point for either Verstappen or Pérez would be enough to get the job done.