Oscar Piastri has failed to finish the US Grand Prix, retiring after a blistering start where he gained four places on the opening lap.

World champion Max Verstappen claimed victory in Austin at the Circuit of the Americas, beating Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's Lando Norris to the line, although Hamilton was later disqualified, bumping Norris to second and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to third.

Verstappen won after starting sixth on the grid, becoming the first driver to claim victory in Austin who did not start on the front row.

Piastri had a brilliant start from 10th on the grid, making up four places on the opening lap.

The Australian marched into sixth, despite making contact with the Alpine of Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman was ultimately forced to retire with damage to his side pod.

Piastri settled into sixth and stayed there for the next 10 laps.

But he was forced to retire the car with damage to his radiator and a water leak, a consequence of his collision with Ocon according to Sky Sports UK broadcast.

Verstappen claims 50th career grand prix win

Verstappen joined an elite club of drivers in Austin, winning his 50th F1 grand prix, joining Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.

The Dutchman had to sweat in the final stages of the race, complaining about an issue with his brakes and Hamilton closing in on him with faster tyres.

"I think the whole race I was struggling with the brakes, which definitely made my race a bit tougher," he said.

"You could see, it was really close at the end.

Hamilton is chasing Red Bull's Sergio Pérez for second in the drivers' standings and thought he had a delivered an important podium finish for Mercedes, but race officials quickly wiped that out once his car was inspected after the race.

F1 cars have a wooden plank, or skid block, under the floor that is used to test if it is within the rules of how low cars can run to the ground.