F1: Red Bull Confirms Max Verstappen Won US Grand Prix Despite Health Issues

Red Bull Racing have confirmed that Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix despite being ill Sunday.

Regardless of his health condition, Verstappen put up a stunning show at the Circuit of the Americas as he clinched his eighth win of the season and took his points tally to 287.5, 12 clear of reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. The Red Bull driver started the race on pole position but lost the lead to Hamilton in the first lap.

The Dutchman took a gamble by pitting early and chose an aggressive tire strategy that paid off in the end as he crossed the chequered flag ahead of Hamilton and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The Brit was on fresher tires toward the end of the race, but a mixture of graining issues and dirty air kept him behind Verstappen's gearbox for the remainder of the race.

"During the race, at one point it went completely black in front of his eyes. It is unbelievable how much mental capacity he has. He drives a car on the limit while in poor health, but he still thinks in terms of strategy," Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko told German publication Auto, Motor und Sport.

Verstappen was not the only one who was sick at that time. Red Bull's other driver, Perez, was not feeling well, either, during the weekend. The Mexican driver drove the toughest race of his life as he could not drink water throughout the race.

"The performances of both of them should therefore be appreciated all the more. Max got himself back in shape with breathing exercises and by drinking. Perez had too much water on the warm-up lap, the stuff splashed around like the devil. In the race, he had no water at all, so apparently, something went wrong in the adjustment from too much to less water. It was a good performance," Marko added.

The upcoming race will take Perez home as it is the Mexican Grand Prix, scheduled to be held on Nov. 8 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.