Hamilton could lock it up in Austin
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Lewis Hamilton enjoys Formula 1’s Austin stop as much or more than anyone.
“Love the energy at Circuit of the Americas. I’m looking forward to getting out on the track (this) week,” the British superstar driver tweeted. And why not? Hamilton has won four of five United States Grand Prix races at COTA, and he might be throwing his biggest party yet in Austin with the No. 44 Mercedes team.
The 32-year-old from Stevenage, England, owns a 59-point lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, the only other driver to win an Austin-based USGP. Hamilton will clinch his fourth world championship Sunday if he finishes 16 points ahead of the 30year-old German. There are four races left.
“I could only have dreamed of having this kind of gap,” Hamilton told reporters after winning Oct. 8 in Japan, his eighth victory of the year. “There is still a long way to go, 100 points is a lot of points and anything can happen. I just need to keep my head down.”
Hamilton clinched his 2015 world title by winning in Austin, and he made it clear he will not be driving conservatively here just to protect his lead.
“To be honest, there is not really any need to change my approach,” he told reporters. “I just don’t think there is a need to make any changes. I’m not taking crazy risks to be in the position I’m in.
“We will continue to try and keep doing what we are doing. Sometimes, when you come off the gas a little, you cause yourself more trouble than you need.”
Two scenarios that would end all suspense in Austin: Hamilton wins and Vettel finishes in sixth place or lower, or Hamilton takes second place and Vettel is ninth or lower.
“I don’t need to be a genius or a mathematician to figure it out,” Vettel, a four-time world champion, told reporters. “It is not a good position to be in.”
Until F1’s traditional summer break, it looked like Hamilton and Vettel would have a fabulous fight to the finish.
Vettel surged to the lead from round three all the way until the 13th round at Monza.
Hamilton’s win in Italy on Sept. 3 nudged him ahead for the first time in 2017. Then the series swung to its Asian legs, and Vettel’s hopes were dashed by a series of calamities.
He went out after an openinglap crash in Singapore, and an engine replacement forced him to start from the back of the pack in Malaysia. He rallied to finish fourth there. Then came Suzuka, when a faulty spark plug caused a power loss, and Vettel had to retire after just four laps.
Hamilton won Singapore and Japan and was second in Malaysia.
Bingo: A 73-point swing in Hamilton’s favour since Belgium in late August.
Vettel could have gone ballistic after Japan. He is known to have a temper. Instead, he provided cover for his under-attack No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari team.
“It is normal to be critical, especially when things go wrong,” he said. “I think I need to protect them. We have done an incredible job so far. I think we are improving race by race, and we’ve gotten a lot further than people thought.
“Of course, we’re all hurting right now. We’ll put this behind us and concentrate on what’s ahead.”
Vettel has won four races this year, none since July 30.
Circuit of the Americas officials don’t do any cheerleading but note that it could be fitting if Hamilton locks up the title at their track, the only U.S. F1 circuit.
“Lewis spends a lot of time in the States and likes Austin and COTA so much,” chief operating officer Katja Heim said. “He’s had such great success here and is the most popular driver. I’m sure it would be crazy if he clinches at COTA.”