Ferrari Sebastian Vettel led the
opening five laps of the 2017 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, but it was
Mercedes Lewis Hamilton who went to dominate the race, winning by 10 seconds
from his title rival, whose team mate Kimi Raikkonen clinched third after a last
lap pass on him by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was deemed illegal. The result
means Mercedes secure the 2017 constructors’ crown, but the drivers’ battle
goes on to next weekend’s round in Mexico.
A five-second time penalty for
leaving the track while passing Raikkonen meant the fans’ Driver of the Day
Verstappen, who started 16th, lost out on the podium by just 0.9s, having seen
his team mate Daniel Ricciardo retire early on with engine issues. Valtteri
Bottas ended up fifth in the sister Mercedes, followed by the Force India’s of
Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, split by Renault new boy Carlos Sainz, who like
Verstappen saw his team mate, Nico Hulkenberg, retire. Williams’ Felipe Massa
and Toro Rosso returnee Daniil Kvyat completed the top ten, the latter’s rookie
team mate Brendon Hartley taking the flag 13th on his F1 debut.
Hamilton had a scare on the 20th
lap as he emerged from what transpired to be his sole pit stop, and Vettel, who
had stopped three laps earlier, had wiped out a 4.4s deficit and was almost
right on him. Hamilton wasn’t amused and rebuked his team, but at the same time
he quickly pulled away again, and when Vettel had to stop again on the 39th
lap, it was also soon clear that Mercedes would not need to do the same.
Though Hamilton still needs nine
points to secure the drivers’ title – just fifth place in Mexico next weekend
will be enough – Mercedes cemented the constructors’ championship, and now have
575 points to Ferrari’s 428, Red Bull’s 315 and Force India’s 159. Renault have
moved back in front of Haas and to within five points of Toro Rosso in the
fight for sixth place.
No comments:
Post a Comment