Verstappen gets United States GP grid penalty

Max Verstappen has been demoted to 18th on the grid for the United States Grand Prix after Red Bull had to change the gearbox on his car. Verstappen caused significant damage to his car by running over 'sausage' kerbs during Q1 at the Circuit of the Americas.

The Dutchman suffered a rear-suspension failure to end his qualifying at the first hurdle and he had been due to start 14th.

However, with further damage requiring a change in the back of his car, Verstappen has been moved further back – he will remain ahead of the Toro Rosso pair of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, who have taken new power units and subsequent demotions.

Verstappen was amazed that his trip beyond track limits had done so much damage.

He said: "Everybody was taking them. We drove like that the last two years and again today all was fine, so it is really unexpected.

Meet the Verstopper. #USGP pic.twitter.com/MjVdvByMTi — Circuit of The Americas (@COTA) October 18, 2018

"Everything was well within the limits of everything, so there was nothing crazy.

"As you can see, everyone else was doing it as well. So that is why we are a little bit amazed how it happened.

"In the race it should not be a problem, as you don't use that much of the track anyway for tyres and whatever. So it should be alright."

Verstappen started last year's race at COTA 16th and fought his way through the field to cross the line in third place – only to have the podium spot taken away from him for exceeding track limits in a stunning last-lap overtake on Kimi Raikkonen.

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