It was a day to forget for Australian drivers at the United States Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri forced to retire from the race and Daniel Ricciardo finishing dead last.
After starting from sixth on the grid, world champion Max Verstappen used patience and precision to move through the field and claim one of his most impressive victories, beating Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.
The win is Verstappen’s 15th of the season and his 50th career grand prix win – joining the likes of Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.
Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri had an impressive start from 10th position on the grid, moving up four places on just his first lap.
He cruised into 6th, but an accidental collision with Esteban Ocon damaged his radiator and forced him to retire.
Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix to claim his 15th victory of the season
Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri had an impressive start but was forced to retire
‘Just went around the outside. I don’t know if we had a bit of a moment on the bump or whatever,’ Piastri said afterwards about the contact with Ocon.
‘Just a bit of contact at the exit and it might have broke one of the radiators, but something on the right side of the car broke.
‘Definitely not one of the best weekend. Today was looking a fair bit better but still some things to work on and improve.
‘Character building weekend but these are the kind of weekends that are very important in my first season. Definitely trying to learn what I can.’
It was a disappointing weekend for Piastri, who could only qualify in 10th position, and picked up no points from Saturday’s sprint race.
Ricciardo had a nightmare return to F1 and ended up finishing in 17th – last position out of the finishing drivers.
In his first race back since breaking his hand, the West Aussie had a great start and climbed from 15th to as high as seventh at one stage – but that was as good as it got for him.
After a late pit stop, Ricciardo managed to set the fastest lap of the race, but was cruelly beaten by teammate Yuki Tsunoda who not only set the fastest lap time but also snagged 10th position and a championship point.
Daniel Ricciardo had a nightmare return to F1 and ended up finishing in 17th
Ricciardo admitted after the race that having time away with his injury had impacted his performance.
‘I don’t like saying it because I’m very experienced but this year not so experienced… but a bit of race rust,’ he said.
