Verstappen fury at ‘stupid’ penalty
From Back Page to teach me to do the Bolt,’ Hamilton had urged his new friend. The two of them then struck the star sprinter’s signature pose on the podium to huge cheers from the big crowd in Austin. Hamilton started on pole but lost out at the first corner to Vettel and then had to win the place back. The Brit expressed his surprise that Vettel ‘did not defend more vigorously’. Vettel said: ‘It was starting to look good. We got past Lewis, but then we realised we could not match his pace today. Towards the end we decided to pit again so the last laps were especially exciting, but overall it was not the result we wanted.’ Controversy reigned when Max Verstappen was thrown down a place, from third to fourth, for running off the track as he passed Kimi Raikkonen late on. Both Max and his father, former racer Jos, were furious. Verstappen Jnr said: ‘We had a great race but with these stupid decisions you really kill the sport. ‘Everybody is running wide, including myself, everywhere. At turn nine and 19 you can go wide and nobody will say anything. It was the same with Valtteri Bottas — I went for a move and he continued outside the track and came back so I really had to pass him and nothing has been done against him when he has gained an advantage. It’s not good for the sport.’ Verstappen’s father posted a Twitter image of the FIA logo with the words: ‘Ferrari International Assistance,’ suggesting the governing body, whose stewards he was blaming, favoured Raikkonen. But Hamilton was happy, adding: ‘One of the most fun races I’ve had for a while. I am looking forward to Mexico.’