United States GP — Hamilton takes victory in Austin successfully defending his world championship
Lewis Hamilton has become Britain’s most successful driver after taking victory in the United States Grand Prix to take his third world title.
Hamilton put pressure on his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg during the last ten laps of the race. Taking the lead on lap 48 when he swept past Rosberg harboring back to his move on Timo Glock in Brazil in 2008 when he took the German for fifth to take the title from Felipe Massa.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was third one place off where he needed to be to keep his hopes of being champion for the fifth time. The race which has been affected by Hurricane Patricia also played a part.
Vettel had a brilliant recovery during the opening lap to move from thirteenth to seventh place. The Ferrari managed to get up to third one place off his target to keep his slim chance of winning a fifth world title.
The race provided drama with several changes of lead and wet conditions to spice things up. The drama which lead to serval changes of the race leader between the Mercedes duo.
On the restart Hamilton could have left him an easy target with Rosberg closing in but he managed to make the switch to new tyres during the safety car window.
Vettel was under pressure from the young Max Verstappen in the closing stages for third. The German and the 18 year old were well clear of the battle behind where Force India’s Sergio Perez, Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz and the McLarens.
Fernando Alonso lost out to the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo on last lap but dropped back after Sainz’s received a penalty. Alexander Rossi was twelve giving him and Manor their best result of the season on home soil.
The long list of retirement included a Red Bulls Daniil Kyvat, both Williams of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas the team’s first double retirement since 2012, Lotus’s Romain Grosjean.
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