Lewis Hamilton had a rare chance in 2022 to win in Sunday’s United Grand Prix after Max Verstappen’s race was compromised by a slow pit stop.
The Red Bull driver fought back to win, but there was tension in the final laps as he had strayed beyond track limits three times during the course of the race and was at risk of a five-second penalty which could have cost him his victory. Behind, Hamilton was keeping a close eye on how well Verstappen stayed within the lines, and ensuring his team and race control did not miss any potential infractions.
Transcript: Hamilton vs Verstappen in the United States Grand Prix
Verstappen and Hamilton started second and third. However they were soon in contention for the lead, as pole-winner Carlos Sainz Jnr started slowly and was hit by George Russell.
The pair started on the medium compound tyres and over the opening laps it quickly became clear Hamilton did not have the pace on that rubber to keep up with Verstappen.
Lap: 1/56
Bonnington
So Stroll car behind at 0.8. So we had Sainz spin at turn one.
Lambiase
Car behind, Hamilton. Sainz was tagged at turn one. Mode 10 and gap one second, Max. Straight into this.
Hamilton
Gone wide, turn four.
Lambiase
Gap 1.5.
Bonnington
Okay copy.
Lap: 2/56
Bonnington
Stroll 1.8 behind, Verstappen 1.3 ahead.
Lambiase
Gap 1.5. And race update, Max. Sainz has retired from that incident at turn one.
Bonnington
So Verstappen 1.7 ahead, Stroll two behind.
Lap: 3/56
Bonnington
DRS has been enabled.
Lambiase
High-speed saving looks similar to Hamilton in the Esses.
Lambiase
You can afford to save more in turn 17, 18 Max. Straight-line gains are strong.
Lap: 4/56
Bonnington
Tractions metrics only at 3.7. Think about bringing back the entry turn one for a better exit.
Lambiase
Strat two. The previous lap Hamilton pushing more in sector one. Keep it there for the moment. Turn 17, happier now.
Bonnington
So gap to Verstappen at 2.2 and it looks like he’s pushing hard. The gap to the midfield should open up quickly.
Bonnington
So Verstappen a 42.6.
Red Bull could see Hamilton is using up his tyres in pursuit of Verstappen and tell their driver he can afford to push harder. Verstappen responds and begins to pull away from Hamilton by three to four tenths of a second each lap.
Lap: 5/56
Hamilton
Left is high? Very hard to keep up.
Verstappen
Wind makes it really tricky, it’s very gusty.
Bonnington
Yeah copy. Nothing concerning at the moment.
Lambiase
Understood. Gap 2.4. Make sure you control the rear axle in the high speed.
Lambiase
Engine 13, one-three, position four? So Hamilton pushing in sector one so keep up. We’ve got big gains, easy gains sector two.
Lambiase
Display eight when you can.
Lap: 6/56
Bonnington
Verstappen a 42.9. George now car behind, 5.2, he does have a five second penalty.
Lambiase
Display five, position 11. Display five, position one one when you can. Gap 2.7.
Bonnington
So George 5.5 behind, Verstappen 2.7 ahead.
Lap: 7/56
Bonnington
So Verstappen 42.8. Turn 11 also bring back the entry for better exit.
Lambiase
Gap at 2.4.
Lap: 8/56
Lambiase
You are free to hold sixth to turn three, Max. Free to hold sixth gear to turn three. Gap 2.8.
Lambiase
Okay so at the moment main delta to Hamilton, through that first sector he’s carrying more speed turns five, six, seven, eight.
Lap: 9/56
Bonnington
Copy that last message. It still looks better than Verstappen. He was 42.8 last lap.
Verstappen
I’m struggling a lot with the wind out there.
Bonnington
And remember to drink.
Lambiase
Understood gap. 3.2. Can I have a front wing update as well, Max, when you can.
Verstappen
I think that’s okay.
Lambiase
You are free to use the diff rotary, Max. That will help you in the high-speed as well.
Lambiase
Gap 3.5, 3.5.
Lap: 10/56
Bonnington
Lewis can you go HP5 position 10, five position 10. Verstappen was a 42.4.
Mercedes spot the lap times are beginning to drop off and, as he is already five seconds behind Verstappen, call Hamilton in for his first pit stop.
So Verstappen 42.5. We’re over the peak of the tyre. So stops in the midfield starting to happen.
Lambiase
Gap 3.7. Tyre temperatures have peaked.
Hamilton
Tyres feel okay just [unclear].
Lap: 12/56
Bonnington
So Verstappen 42.6 434.
Lambiase
Max just mind that single bump on the run down to turn 12, try to stay right. Gap 4.3.
Hamilton
How’s my pace otherwise?
Lambiase
Lewis was just told to push.
Bonnington
Lewis it’s Hammertime
Bonnington
Box. Box. Box. Box. Box.
Lap: 13/56
Bonnington
We go strat mode four, start four. So you’re all clear on exit, four behind to Bottas.
Lambiase
Okay. So Hamilton is in, Max.
Bonnington
So this is out-lap critical.
Verstappen
What do you want me to do?
Bonnington
So Verstappen in.
Lambiase
Free to push.
Bonnington
So clean stop for Verstappen.
Lambiase
Box and pit confirm, Max. Box, pit confirm.
Lambiase
Strat 12 in pit lane.
Lap: 14/56
Hamilton
Tyres don’t feel great.
Lambiase
Torque nine, strat eight. Torque nine, strat eight. Could be close to racing Stroll and Leclerc, racing Stroll, Leclerc. Stroll alongside now.
Bonnington
Okay, copy.
Lambiase
Okay Hamilton is still behind Vettel, Leclerc and Stroll so bring these tyres in nice and easily Max.
Verstappen
How many laps was that?
Lambiase
13 laps.
Verstappen takes half a second less than Hamilton to complete his first pit stop, adding to his lead as he returns to the track.
Lap: 15/56
Bonnington
So Perez has pitted, he’s now the car behind, the gap to him is about nine seconds.
Lambiase
So just reminder about what I said about your dash in the high-speed, Max, at the start of this stint. Hamilton still behind Vettel.
Lap: 16/56
Bonnington
So Verstappen 42.2.
Lambiase
Gap to Hamilton 6.1. He just passed Vettel.
Bonnington
So Leclerc yet to stop on medium tyres, 15-lap-old, last lap a 42.7.
Verstappen is now back in the lead but has collected his first warning for exceeding track limits. Four warnings typically leads to a five-second time penalty.
We’ve had one lap deleted for track limits turn 19.
Lambiase
Engine 13 position ten, engine one-three position 10 when you can, Max. Gap behind Leclerc, 2.8. So Hamilton 6.3, his pace 42.0. What are your thoughts on this compound?
Bonnington
So Verstappen a 41.9, Leclerc a 42.6.
Verstappen
So far [unclear] I mean [unclear] doesn’t feel amazing the grip level.
Lambiase
Understood.
Verstappen
Give me a little bit less front wing [unclear].
Lambiase
Roger.
A gust of wind catches Valtteri Bottas out at turn 19 and he spins into a gravel trap, triggering a Safety Car period.
Mercedes changed parts of Hamilton’s front-left brake on the grid because he noticed a difference in their stopping power during his pre-race reconnaissance laps. A similar problem resurfaces during the Safety Car period.
Lap: 18/56
Bonnington
So we have a yellow, yellow down at turn 19 exit, Valtteri off in the gravel.
Lambiase
Strat two when you can.
Bonnington
Safety Car, Safety Car, keep the delta positive. We are staying out. So if you go strat mode one. Do what you can do on car cooling.
Verstappen
Yeah seems like they might be a little bit better for overtaking but definitely less movement in low speed.
Hamilton
How was pace looking?
Lambiase
Understood Max.
Bonnington
So just keep that delta tight. Just keep on that delta. Lewis can we have HPP5, position 13. Should be just picking up Safety Car now. Okay so Lewis pace on hard tyre not too bad at all. At worst, well, at best we were just a tenth and a half off Verstappen.
Lambiase
Safety Car deployed Max, Safety Car deployed. Dash positive. Dash positive. So this is for Bottas in the gravel exit turn 19. So stay out, Max, staying out.
In the previous race at Suzuka several drivers complained that a recovery vehicle appeared on the circuit. As one of several changes in response to that incident, race control now advise teams when a recovery vehicle has been sent out, and those messages are relayed to drivers.
Okay, keep me updated on where I am losing that, mate.
Lambiase
Okay Max so initially same pace as Hamilton middle set. same trend as the first stint, Hamilton pushing a lot more in sector one – three, four, five, six, seven, eight. You managed your tyres very well in the first stint, I’m happy with your wear. Okay so Leclerc’s pitted onto the hard tyre at the moment he’s fallen just behind Checo, so that’s P4 for him. Behind you Hamilton, one lap older hard tyres. Behind Hamilton, Checo and then Leclerc.
Bonnington
Yeah turn 11 is the biggest culprit. It’s that entry, pushing it a little bit too much.
Lambiase
Okay Max, information, there is a recovery vehicle on track at turn 19.
Hamilton
Every time I bring it back, I still don’t get the exit.
Bonnington
Okay, copy, we’ll have a look through it. Just keep an eye on those front brakes.
Hamilton
Are they okay?
Bonnington
Yeah, it’s just that they’re starting to split so just make sure not to trail on the brake pedal too much. We’ve got a recovery vehicle on track turn 19. So we’re going to have Perez behind, two lap newer hard tyres. Leclerc has just stopped, he’s behind Perez, also fitted the hard.
Lap: 20/56
Hamilton
These brakes are something else, mate.
Lambiase
When we eventually get going, Max, repeat of the first stint please, mate. Looks after the tyres in the high-speed. You’ve got your gains you know where. Those behind you have to use up their tyres in the high-speed.
Bonnington
So on the previous set Lewis, rears still plenty of rubber remaining. Just inside shoulder front-left, looks like it’s the under-rotations. Whilst it’s quiet, do you want to give us a balance check, just let us know how it’s going.
Hamilton
Yeah balance doesn’t feel too bad. Straight onto this tyre generally it feels a little bit more oversteer and also a little less front grip.
Bonnington
Okay. Lewis go HPP3 position two, three position two.
Bonnington
So I think this is probably going to go next lap, Lewis. So, yeah, Safety Car will be in this lap.
At the first restart, Verstappen went off at turn 19
The race restarts. Verstappen, controlling the pack, immediately runs wide again at turn 19, which Hamilton notes.
The race doesn’t remain green for long, however. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll collide, putting the Aston Martin out and scattering debris across the back straight.
Lap: 21/56
Hamilton
So remind me again, turn one and turn 11 pull back the entry still? Into 11?
Lambiase
Okay Max so mode three, Safety Car is in this lap.
Hamilton
Yeah, copy, to Verstappen that’s all we can see.
Lambiase
Okay so just be mindful of your front tyres at the restart. Set your bias offset to suit.
Bonnington
Strat mode five, strat mode five. Safety Car at turn 15.
Verstappen
Let me know where the Safety Car is.
Bonnington
Now Safety Car turn 17. Turn 19.
Lambiase
Currently at turn 18.
Lambiase
Turn 19.0. And it’s in pit lane.
Lap: 22/56
Hamilton
[Unclear] at turn 19.
Lambiase
Mode 10 and bias offset, Max. Okay that was first strike at turn 19.
Bonnington
Copy. [Unclear]. Perez behind at 0.8.
Lambiase
Safety Car deployed, Max. Safety Car deployed. Dash positive. A fairly large accident between turn 11 and turn 12. Quite a bit of debris on track.
Bonnington
Safety Car, Safety Car, delta positive. [Unclear] And if you can try to cool the car as best you can. So just reminder you’re staying out. Safety Car is at the top of turn one.
The race engineers can see little of the crash scene and can give their drivers little advice on how to avoid the debris on the straight.
Hamilton’s attention briefly moves from the Red Bull ahead of him to the one behind, as Sergio Perez is threatening.
Yes a lot of debris along that back straight. Both sides. So on the back straight we’ve got Stroll stopped, debris across the whole track, try and pick your way…
Lambiase
Okay so Safety Car ahead of you at turn one.
Hamilton
How’s my pace doing compared to Sergio?
Lambiase
It’s a little bit unclear what the best line through the debris is at this stage, Max, but potentially staying right all the way along the straight. Yeah confirmed that from race control as well. Right-hand side. Stay right. Just pick your way through the debris. Don’t worry about the car lengths to the Safety Car, make sure you can see the debris on-track.
Bonnington
You can use your 10 car lengths just to make sure you don’t pick up the debris.
Lambiase
Strat three, Max. Okay Max just to give you an idea at the restart your sector one was two tenths quicker than Hamilton, sector two four tenths quicker.
Hamilton
Is he okay?
Bonnington
Copy, yep, he’s out of the car. How much debris do you see down there? TV pictures not showing a lot.
Hamilton
No, not too much. Just it’s off-line.
Bonnington
Okay copy. In terms of pace to Perez, little bit difficult to pick it out, he was in traffic most of the first stint.
Hamilton
Marcus just have a look into turn 11 onto that start lap. Perez went really deep into 11 and still managed to be close.
Bonnington
Okay we’ll have a look.
Lap: 24/56
Bonnington
On that Perez question, looks like he’s pushing less in eight for a better nine and then he’s just pushing the entry into 11 a bit more. And another recovery vehicle on track.
Lambiase
Okay Max there is a recovery vehicle on track between turns 11 and 12.
The race restarts once more. Verstappen is asked to change a setting on his engine and is unhappy with the effect it has on power delivery.
Lap: 25/56
Bonnington
So Safety Car’s going to be in this lap. So with all this time under Safety Car the tyres should be in a good window. It’s for us to push, so don’t think it’s much management, see if we can stick with Verstappen best we can. Strat mode five, strat mode five. So Safety Car lights are out.
Lambiase
Okay Safety Car is in this lap, Max, Safety Car in this lap. Fronts are maybe four degrees cooler than the previous restart. Mode three. Just reminder, you just have one track limits strike. For the moment, Max, obviously you know the best line between turns 11 and 12 at this stage alone would be on the right-hand side, so stay off the left-hand side.
Bonnington
Safety Car turn 17. Safety Car turn 19.
Verstappen
Where’s the Safety Car?
Lambiase
Turn 19.
Lambiase
And in pit lane.
Lap: 26/56
Hamilton
[Unclear]
Lambiase
So just watch your slip while the tyres are cold. Currently bias offset minus two. Mode 10.
Hamilton
Wide at turn 20.
Lambiase
Gap…
Bonnington
Copy.
Verstappen
What happened to my drive-ability? It’s dog shit.
Lambiase
Strat two. Keep me posted in that strat position. If not, we can make another change. Gap 1.1.
Lap: 27/56
Bonnington
Verstappen 1.2 ahead, Perez 1.2 behind.
Lambiase
And Max just make sure you’re sensible at turn 19 as well. Don’t want to use up another strike.
Lap: 28/56
Bonnington
DRS has been enabled. Verstappen at 1.5, Perez 1.2 behind.
Lambiase
Gap 1.5, Hamilton almost at full load through turn 17 so having to push to try to keep Checo at bay. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Lambiase
Half a second quicker in sector two.
As in the earlier laps, Verstappen is only losing time to Hamilton at the points on the track where the Red Bull driver is saving his tyres more.
So Perez battling with Leclerc, that gap now 2.6. So we’ll try to introduce maybe a little more management turn six.
Lambiase
Losses to Hamilton are all in areas of management, Max. High-speed sector one, turn 17.
Lap: 31/56
Bonnington
So Leclerc through, now car behind at 3.5 seconds, Verstappen 1.9 ahead.
Lambiase
Gap 1.8. P3 is now Leclerc. His last lap was a 41.5.
Bonnington
So Leclerc at 3.8 behind.
Lambiase
Thoughts on compounds, Max?
Verstappen
[Unclear] it’s low grip.
Charles Leclerc, who has climbed through the field from 12th, made his pit stop under the Safety Car and Red Bull briefly entertain the possibility he may try to reach the end of the race without pitting again.
Lap: 32/56
Lambiase
Gap two seconds. Leclerc last lap 42.0. Could be managing to the end at this stage. Gap to him six seconds.
Lap: 33/56
Hamilton
Leave me to it, mate.
Lambiase
Okay Max gap 1.8, happy to reduce the level of management.
Bonnington
Verstappen a 41.3.
Verstappen
Tyres super-unpredictable in the wind.
Lambiase
Start four. Copy, strat four.
Mercedes waste no time in bringing Hamilton in for his second pit stop. This time the gamble pays off – a slow front-left tyre change costs Verstappen over eight seconds.
Hamilton is now the effective leader of the race. Mercedes update him on the situation behind.
Lap: 34/56
Bonnington
Verstappen at 41.
Verstappen
I feel like it’s hurting my drive-ability, these strat changes.
Bonnington
Box opposite Verstappen. Box opposite Verstappen.
Lambiase
Undertood, Max.
Lambiase
Strat two.
Lap: 35/56
Bonnington
Go strat mode four. Out-lap critical. You’ll be clear on exit.
Lambiase
Hamilton is in pit lane, Max, you are free to push.
Lambiase
Box and pit confirm, Max. Box, pit confirm. Strat 12 in pit lane.
Lap: 36/56
Bonnington
So slow stop for Verstappen. So got Leclerc and Verstappen just exiting pit lane now. Leclerc ahead of Verstappen, six seconds behind.
Lambiase
Focus on your marks.
Bonnington
So both Leclerc and Verstappen on the medium tyre. We have 20 laps when we cross the line.
Verstappen
Beautiful, fucking beautiful.
Hamilton
How big’s the gap?
Lambiase
Strat eight, start eight. Long way to go.
Bonnington
Currently 6.6 seconds, 6.6, GPS jumping around bit.
Verstappen
Yeah, you don’t need to tell me that.
Hamilton
Is the medium faster?
Lambiase
Max we’re in this together, mate. Head down, come on.
However Hamilton is concerned that while he’s on hard tyres, Verstappen has taken a set of mediums, which will be faster.
Lap: 37/56
Bonnington
I’ll get back to you on that tyre question, Lewis. Gap to Leclerc at 5.8.
Lambiase
Mode nine. Strat two when you can.
Bonnington
So the hard tyre looks pretty robust, Lewis.
Fight with Leclerc cost Verstappen little time
Verstappen catches Leclerc but despite them fighting for position Hamilton can’t pull away from them. The Ferrari driver is only able to hold Verstappen back for a single lap anyway before he passes in a DRS zone.
Lambiase tells his driver not to push his tyres too hard as he begins his pursuit of Hamilton, needing to keep some life in them for later.
Lap: 38/56
Bonnington
So Leclerc and Verstappen pushing hard on the mediums, current gap at 4.8.
Hamilton
What time’s he doing?
Bonnington
Leclerc, Verstappen in the high 39s. Leclerc was [unclear].
Lap: 39/56
Bonnington
Gap at 4.7. Leclerc and Verstappen now battling hard.
Lambiase
Well done, Max.
Hamilton
How’s this pace? Don’t really think I’m that fast.
Bonnington
Whilst those guys are battling they’re 40.2. So Verstappen now through, 4.7 seconds behind.
Lap: 40/56
Hamilton
Blue flags.
Lambiase
Mode seven, Max, mode seven. Gap to Hamilton, 4.5. That’s 17 laps remaining, still 17 laps.
Bonnington
He is yet to stop.
Lambiase
Hamilton is on the hard tyre, Max.
Verstappen
What’s the gap? Behind?
Lambiase
One second. Just a reminder, you’ve had about a three-tenth advantage all race. Let this come in naturally with tyre saving, see where we’re at at the end.
Lap: 41/56
Bonnington
So Verstappen 40.1 last lap.
Verstappen
Gap behind?
Lambiase
0.7.
Lambiase
Gap ahead 3.5.
Lambiase
Gap behind 0.8, it’s the same as the last lap. He has DRS, the same gap as the last lap. So ahead of you Vettel, you are racing Vettel. He’s on 23-lap-old, medium tyres. The last lap but one was actually green for Seb, so going strong on that tyre.
Lap: 42/56
Lambiase
Okay Hamilton last lap a 40.2. Gap 2.8. 3.3. They’re a tenth quicker in sector one.
Verstappen
Gap behind as well.
Lambiase
0.9. He has DRS. 0.9.
Mercedes keep Hamilton abreast of Verstappen’s progress as the Red Bull driver steadily closes.
Lap: 43/56
Bonnington
So got 14 laps remaining. Verstappen a 40.0.
Lambiase
That’s 0.8 behind. Gap ahead 3.3 Poor middle sector I think that lap.
Bonnington
And Lewis if you can have a think about third gear, turn 13, turn 15 that’ll just help with ERS temps.
Lambiase
Gap one.
Lambiase
0.9 behind.
Lap: 44/56
Bonnington
We had a lap deleted, turn nine.
Lambiase
Gap ahead 2.7. Hamilton last lap was a 40.3.
Hamilton
Gap?
Lambiase
Okay Leclerc does not have DRS this lap. Two tenths quicker in sector one to Hamilton this lap.
Bonnington
So currently 2.6 to Verstappen, last lap 39.8.
Lambiase
Gap 1.2 behind.
Lap: 45/56
Bonnington
Gap at 2.4. And last lap, 40.4.
Lambiase
Hamilton last lap was 40.8, gap 2.3, behind 1.3.
Bonnington
Lewis if you update your tyre switch for Safety Car.
Lambiase
Mode 10 Max. Okay wind is picking up at this stage.
Lambiase
Gap behind now two seconds, ahead same pace.
Lap: 46/56
Bonnington
Gap at 2.5. Verstappen 40.0.
Lambiase
Gap 2.5, last lap Hamilton a 39.8.
Lambiase
Hamilton less saving turns six, seven. He is also full load turn 17.
Lambiase
Four-tenths quicker in sector two this lap.
Lap: 47/56
Bonnington
Gap at 2.2.
Lambiase
Okay that’s 10 laps remaining. Ten laps, 2 seconds ahead, Max. Behind is now 3.7.
Lap: 48/56
Bonnington
Lewis think about third gear for turn 11, turn 12, for ERS temps.
Lambiase
Last lap for Hamilton 40.6.
Verstappen easily passed Hamilton for the lead
Although Verstappen only catches Hamilton gradually, once he gets with DRS range he’s through immediately. However he briefly loses power from his battery.
He is also increasingly at risk over track limits. He collects his third warning, leaving him one away from a penalty, and Hamilton behind him repeatedly calls attention to more possible infringements.
Lap: 49/56
Bonnington
Gap to Verstappen at 1.1.
Lap: 50/56
Lambiase
Okay mode nine Max, mode nine. Still seven laps remaining. Okay that gap is 0.9, you have…
Verstappen
Yeah mate I’m clipping into turn 11, what the fuck, why?
Lambiase
Okay looked like a bit moving under braking but nice job.
Lap: 51/56
Hamilton
They’re so fast in the straight, man.
Lambiase
The overtake is available. If you want to cancel the clip, back to mode 10.
Bonnington
Copy, Lewis. Try and hang with him.
Verstappen
Yeah, yeah.
Hamilton
He’s gone off again.
Lambiase
Okay do it yourself, Max.
Bonnington
Copy. Can we have HPP default 17. HPP default one seven.
Verstappen
Gap?
Lambiase
0.8.
Lambiase
You need to make sure you’re safe on track limits now, please, Max. Gap was 0.9.
Lap: 52/56
Bonnington
If we can take that HPP default one seven. HPP default 17.
Lambiase
You’ve used up all your strikes now Max so you need to be safe on track limits. Gap 0.7, same as the last lap. That’s turn nine and 19 for track limits.
Bonnington
So, Max now at three strikes.
Lap: 53/56
Hamilton
He went off at turn 20.
Lambiase
Gap 0.9. Just watch that balance through 17.
Bonnington
Copy.
Lambiase
Gap 0.7, same as last lap.
Hamilton
[Unclear] at turn nine.
Bonnington
Copy.
However Hamilton also reaches his third track limits warning. With Leclerc less than five seconds behind, he also has to take care.
Verstappen pulls away to win by 5.023 seconds – enough that he is guaranteed the win even if he is penalised.
Lap: 54/56
Bonnington
We’ve had our third strike. So black-and-white flag.
Lambiase
Gap 1.1, does not have DRS. Hamilton now also three strikes on track limits so just keep it safe from here, Max. That’s three laps remaining, three laps remaining.
Lambiase
Gap still 1.1, does not has DRS.
Lap: 55/56
Hamilton
Tyres [unclear].
Lambiase
Gap behind 2.2, his last lap was a 41.2, 2.2 behind.
Bonnington
Okay copy. Two laps remaining, Leclerc four seconds behind. So two laps remaining.
Lambiase
Gap still 2.2.
Bonnington
Leclerc still 3.9 behind so let’s just keep well within track limits.
Lambiase
Three seconds.
While Mercedes commiserate with Hamilton, Verstappen congratulates Red Bull on clinching the constructors championship, a fitting tribute to late team founder Dietrich Mateschitz whose death was announced the previous day.
Lap: 56/56
Bonnington
So final lap.
Lambiase
Okay you’re starting your final lap. The gap is 3.5. Cruise home.
Bonnington
Nice work, Lewis. That was a great drive. Mate. Absolutely splendid day that one. Really great pace. So close mate but we’ll get them next time. If you could have HP1 position 14 please, one position 14. Lewis just cool the car.
Horner
Max Verstappen you are world champion, we are world champions, thank you so much. And thank you, Dietrich Mateschitz, for everything that you have done for us, for this team and these championships are for you. Thank you.
Hamilton
I gave it everything guys, gave it everything. Great work with the pit stop, that strategy. So close but so far. Let’s keep pushing and thanks to all the supporters out there.
Verstappen
Definitely was for Dietrich. I gave it everything out there, even though, of course, we had that stop. I was a bit upset with that but, you know, I just keep pushing. And congrats guys, what an amazing season to win also the constructors. You guys really deserve it.
Bonnington
Well done mate, I wouldn’t expect any less of you.
Lambiase
Yeah fantastic result, Max and another milestone that’s your 13th win as well, fantastic result.
Verstappen
Three more chances to add on that, mate.
Lambiase
Three more chances. You did that in style, well done.
Verstappen
It was a bit hectic but good job.
Lambiase
Fail 84 please Max if you’ve not done that already. Fail eight four.
Lambiase
Okay Max you are coming back into the pit lane, into the pit lane.
