Hamilton starts ahead in U.S. GP

AUSTIN, Texas — Lewis Hamilton, requiring a late-season charge to catch Nico Rosberg for the Formula One championship, starts from pole position in today’s United States Grand Prix.

Hamilton outgunned his Mercedes rival and teammate on the last lap to grab his first pole position at the Circuit of the Americas, where he has won three times starting from second.

“I feel amazing,” Hamilton said. “I could hear the crowd cheering.”

Hamilton has been a Texas favourite with his three wins in four years and returned this year facing a 33-point deficit behind Rosberg in the title chase.

His fastest lap of 1 minute, 34.999 seconds pushed Rosberg into No. 2 position.

“It was a good lap I did. I was annoyed when Lewis crossed the line and beat me,” said Rosberg, who also threw a jab at Hamilton’s season-long troubles getting off the starting line.