AUSTIN (Texas), Oct 20 — Max Verstappen maintained the pressure on McLaren and cut another chunk out of Oscar Piastri’s lead in this year’s world championship yesterday when he cruised to a commanding triumph at the United States Grand Prix.

In sizzling conditions, Red Bull’s four-time world champion led from pole position to chequered flag to come home 7.959 seconds clear of title-chasing Lando Norris, of McLaren, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing third, 4.041 adrift.