Max Verstappen will be hunting a “fun” 50th career victory from sixth on the grid in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix after cruising to victory for Red Bull in Saturday’s sprint race. The newly crowned three-time world champion led from pole position to the chequered flag to finish 9.465 seconds clear of revitalised seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

Charles Leclerc came home third for Ferrari, 17.997 adrift. “The pace of the car was really good today,” said the 26-year-old Dutchman, who wrapped up his third consecutive drivers’ title with victory in Qatar earlier in October.