Max Verstappen / Image: REUTERS
In the Formula 1 World Cup, the lead has changed no less than four times in the last six races. Before the 17th season Grand Prix on Sunday (9 p.m., live ORF 1) in Austin (Texas), Max Verstappen leads the ranking six points ahead of champion Lewis Hamilton. The Brit wants to get back to the top as a five-time winner of the US Grand Prix in a Mercedes, but the Dutchman also wants to get involved with the strengthened Red Bull team for victory.
“Austin was a Hamilton stronghold for a few years now,” says Red Bull team boss Chris Horner. The 36-year-old series world champion has triumphed five times in the past eight years, most recently a Mercedes took pole position six times. In 2019 it was Valtteri Bottas, who also won. In the previous year, the US GP was canceled due to the pandemic.
Verstappen has seven wins this season, two more than Hamilton, and is ready to take his chance in Texas. “We now know that we can at least fight for the podium on every track, but also for victory, and that is different than in previous years,” explained the 24-year-old. “In the USA we were always competitive and had some good results. Now we have to convert that into a win. It will be another close race and I'm ready.” Verstappen was second in Austin in 2018 and most recently third in 2019.
Before the duels with Mercedes there is always a big question mark this year, Verstappen emphasized. “Hopefully we can take on them this weekend and keep the championship lead. There are new challenges in every race that we have to master. It won't be any different here, a lot can happen, but we will only focus on ourselves focus.”
