Hamilton quickly jumped past Verstappen and the two traded the lead four times over 56 laps. Hamilton later dismissed it as “fun and games.” Verstappen then edged him for pole position on the final lap of qualifying Sunday.Īll of it set up a fierce fight for the lead into Sunday’s first turn because the winner at COTA has always come from the front row. First, Verstappen called Hamilton a “stupid idiot” and flipped him the middle finger after an aggressive driving move in Friday practice. Hamilton and Verstappen kept the temperature rising all weekend. “Hopefully we can do this for many years to come.” “It’s amazing to be here, but also to see so many (fans) around the track,” Verstappen said before stepping to the podium as fans rushed onto the track for the celebration. Track President Bobby Epstein has said he expects to get a new long-term deal from F1. Sunday was the final race in the Circuit’s original 10-year contract, but the U.S. Shaquille O’Neal hosted a post-race DJ dance party and delivered the winner’s trophy to the podium, where the 7-footer loomed large over Verstappen and Hamilton. It was one of the largest sporting events since the start of the pandemic and drew the rich and famous to the Austin circuit.Īmong the celebrities in attendance were actor Ben Stiller, rapper Meghan Thee Stallion, golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis champion Serena Williams, who all participated in the pre-race grid walk. “Got a good start and gave it absolutely everything, but in the end of the day, they just had the upper hand this weekend.”Īs the popularity of Formula One explodes in the U.S., the championship rivals delivered a dramatic finish in front of an estimated crowd of 140,000. It was such a tough race,” Hamilton said. “Congratulations to Max, he did a great job today. Hamilton is seeking a record eighth F1 title, and fifth in a row. The 24-year-old now has some breathing room heading into Mexico City, a high-altitude stronghold for Red Bull.
Hamilton chased Verstappen over the final 18 laps and maybe if there had been one more lap, he might have caught Verstappen and reclaimed the points lead. Verstappen and Red Bull won on a track where Hamilton and Mercedes have been dominant for years - Hamilton is a five-time winner at COTA - and he made Verstappen work for the win. The victory doubled Verstappen’s lead over Hamilton to 12 points in the standings with five races remaining and could prove to be a pivotal win in this classic championship battle.
“It was exciting, the pressure was on, not knowing how quick Lewis was going to get you,” Verstappen said.
#Cota attendance f1 2021 driver
The intensity of the tightest championship race in years might have derailed a different driver - especially when Hamilton pulled within 1 second on the final lap - but Verstappen thrived under pressure and won his eighth race of the season. The young Dutchman seeking his first world championship was being chased by the seven-time champion, and Hamilton was rapidly closing in on the lead under the hot Texas sun at the Circuit of the Americas. AUSTIN, Texas - If there ever was a time for Max Verstappen to flinch in this riveting Formula One championship battle with Lewis Hamilton, it would have been Sunday in the closing laps of the U.S.
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