Max Verstappen defied Lewis Hamilton to win a cat-and-mouse United States Grand Prix at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Verstappen has been on easy street this season, but the triple world champion was made to fight for the 50th win of his career – becoming only the fifth driver to reach a half-century.

Indeed, at one stage, Hamilton dared to dream of ending a losing streak which stands at 686 days and counting. Yet, as so often been the case this year, Verstappen’s speed in his all-conquering Red Bull machine came to the fore.

He moved ahead of Lando Norris on lap 28 of 56 to all but seal the win. Hamilton might bemoan a questionable strategy decision which saw him lose 10 seconds to Verstappen in the opening round of pit stops. But in reality, he probably did not have the pace to stop the Dutchman from claiming his 15th wins from the 18 rounds so far.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been disqualified from Sunday’s United States Grand Prix after breaching the rules governing the floor of their cars in a shock end to the race weekend.

Hamilton and Leclerc, who finished second and sixth respectively in the 56-lap race won by Max Verstappen, were being investigated by the stewards following a plank wear inspection in Austin.

Max Verstappen was loudly booed on the podium after his victory at the US Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 2023 world champion started sixth on the grid but after eventually passing leader Lando Norris halfway through the race, Verstappen held off a late challenge from 2021 nemesis Lewis Hamilton to claim his 50^th Formula 1 win.

Yet as he walked out onto the top step of the podium, the Dutchman was booed by sections of the fanbase in Austin.

Asked can you win this year: “Unlikely. Qatar was our best opportunity. That’s why I was tough on myself, because I knew it was an opportunity.

“Vegas is still a big question but there’s no high-speed circuits. But the slow speeds are slowing us down. When it comes together, which probably won’t be this year, but next year…”

“We should’ve stopped before Lando, I don’t know why we didn’t… the deficit was so hard. We’ve got some work to do.

“But other than that, it’s a step forwards. We need to pick up on some areas, the pit stops were not great and strategy maybe, but it’s right there!

“Verstappen started sixth and he was out in front. They are still ahead, and they’re not developing now – they’re just chilling. We’ve got a huge amount of work to do.”

Max Verstappen defied Lewis Hamilton to win a cat-and-mouse United States Grand Prix at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Verstappen has been on easy street this season, but the triple world champion was made to fight for the 50th win of his career – becoming only the fifth driver to reach a half-century.

Indeed, at one stage, Hamilton dared to dream of ending a losing streak which stands at 686 days and counting.

Yet, as so often been the case this year, Verstappen’s speed in his all-conquering Red Bull machine came to the fore.