* The accident between Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso

Everyone’s heart stopped on the 22nd lap of the United States Formula 1 Grand Prixwhen Fernando Alonso (Alpine) rammed Spear Stroll (Aston Martin) and the Spanish car took off, hit the guardrail, but was able to stay in the race. Admittedly, the Canadian’s machine was seriously damaged, but the pilot did not suffer any physical damage and escaped on his own.

It was after the first neutralization to take out the Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas – who also had an accident – that Alonso sought to overtake future team-mate and son of Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll.

On the long back stretch of the Circuit of the Americas, Lance shifted his car to the left as Fernando looked for the pass. But the right front wheel of the Spaniard’s car touched the left rear of the Canadian’s car and this served as a springboard for the Alpine, which rose and covered several meters with the two front wheels in the air. Then he fell, hitting the guardrail, but the 41-year-old Asturian was able to continue in the race. In fact, he entered the pits and after changing the tires he continued. The double world champion in 2005 and 2006 finished seventh in the competition.

But the competition was neutralized to eliminate Stroll’s Aston Martin, whose reckless maneuver was analyzed by the Race Direction and it is possible that he will receive a penalty for his reaction when his rival tried to overtake him. Such actions in overtaking instances are often called “sweeps” in the jargon and are generally punishable as they are considered an illegal way of defending a position. But the case of Stroll is more serious because he did it with the very close cars and generated an accident in which he endangered his integrity and that of Alonso.

After Stroll’s car was retired the competition resumed and in the final section there was an entertaining fight between Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in which the double world champion won.

Verstappen had finished third after a bad second pit stop in which he was delayed 36 seconds by the failure of one of the mechanics’ guns. But once back on the track, the Dutchman’s pace was hellish and after beating Leclerc it was for Lewis Hamilton, who had stayed in the lead.

It was on lap 50, six from the end, that Verstappen overtook Hamilton and regained control of the competition, since at the start he left the poleman behind, carlos sainz (Ferrari), who got off to a bad start and after being overtaken by Max received a touch from george russell (Mercedes) and was out of the race.

Verstappen signed his 13th victory of the season and equaled the mark reached by the Germans Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013). Max’s win helped Red Bull claim the Constructors’ World Championship.

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