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Formula One: Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff vow to lead Mercedes response to Red Bull triumph

  • Max Verstappen’s record-equalling 13th win of the season in United States Grand Prix clinched Red Bull’s first teams title since 2013
  • ‘We understand what we got wrong now,’ Wolff says, while Hamilton adds: ‘When they build the car, I will take it right back to the top’

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Max Verstappen of Red Bull on his way to victory in Austin. Photo: dpa

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff pledged to keep fighting to take Mercedes back to the top in Formula One after Red Bull ended their eight-year domination in Austin on Sunday.

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Double world champion Max Verstappen’s record-equalling 13th win of the season at the United States Grand Prix clinched Red Bull’s first teams title since 2013, and fifth overall, with an emotional triumph ahead of Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

“We are much closer now,” said Wolff, whose team struggled severely with “porpoising” and bouncing in the first half of this season.

“We were racing for a win and on the second run, on the hard tyres, we were probably the fastest car along with Max … But we were just off, by two-tenths in the end.

Lewis Hamilton (left) and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari flank winner Max Verstappen on Sunday’s podium. Photo: dpa
Lewis Hamilton (left) and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari flank winner Max Verstappen on Sunday’s podium. Photo: dpa

“But credit to Red Bull. Max was really strong. And winning the constructors’ title is what they deserve.”

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