Austin (Texas): Mercedes won the Formula One (F1) constructors’ title for the fourth year in a row here Sunday but Lewis Hamilton was made to wait for the drivers’ title despite cruising to a US Grand Prix victory at one of his favourite circuits.
Hamilton, presented with the winner’s trophy by former US president Bill Clinton, now looks sure to finish off the job and become Britain’s first four times World Champion in Mexico next weekend.
The Mercedes driver’s fifth victory in six years at the Circuit of the Americas here extended his lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who finished second, to 66 points. There are a maximum of 75 points still to be won from the three races remaining. It is highly unlikely that Vettel will win all three and Hamilton will fail to get a podium finish.
The victory was the 62nd of Hamilton’s career and his ninth of the season. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen took third, despite finishing fourth at the flag, after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – who had passed the Finn with a great overtaking move – was hit with a five second post-race penalty that dropped him to fourth.
“It is an appalling decision. They have robbed all of the fans here,” raged Red Bull principal Christian Horner as Verstappen left the pre-podium room. “It was a great Grand Prix and they have screwed it up,” he added.
Hamilton had started on pole position, but it was Vettel who struck the first blow from second place on the grid, beating Hamilton into the first corner as the Briton moved across and squeezed him as tight as he could without making contact. Six laps later however, Hamilton was back in front and this time he stayed there.
The German dropped down to fourth after his second stop but passed Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas with five laps to go and teammate Raikkonen obligingly let him pass.
Bottas finished fifth with French driver Esteban Ocon sixth for Force India and Carlos Sainz, on his Renault debut after leaving Toro Rosso, seventh. Mexican Sergio Perez was eighth for Force India with Brazilian Felipe Massa ninth in a Williams and Russian Daniil Kvyat taking a point for Toro Rosso.
Seb’s lack of fight surprises Hamilton
A happy and victorious Lewis Hamilton bounced with joy here Sunday after winning the US Grand Prix, but said he was surprised that title rival Sebastian Vettel did not put up a tougher fight. The 32-year-old Briton can seal up the title if he finishes within the top five at the Mexican Grand Prix.
“That was one of the fun races I’ve had in a while,” said Hamilton. “But I was expecting it to be more of a tough fight with Sebastian. Maybe it will come next weekend in Mexico. I was chilled even after Seb (Vettel) took the lead because I knew how I could get the lead back again here,” he added.
Hamilton asserted that he was delighted to play his part in the Mercedes team’s victory in the constructors’ championships for a fourth consecutive season.
“I want to say a big congrats to everyone in the team and everyone back at the factory,” stated Hamilton. “There has been an incredible push for this kind of performance and with a new car and a new set of rules… I am indeed proud about the achievement.”
Hamilton revelled in his podium interview with multiple Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt, who he had taken as a passenger for a few laps of the Circuit of the Americas before the race. “I’m still feeling nervous,” said the Jamaican runner. “That was a fantastic experience.”