Hamilton wins US Grand Prix

Mercedes won the Formula One constructors’ title for the fourth year in a row on Sunday, but Lewis Hamilton must wait another week at least to become Britain’s first four times world champion.

The Mercedes driver won the US Grand Prix for the fifth time in six years at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas to extend his lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to 66 points with three races remaining.

The 32-year-old Briton, who started from a record 72nd pole position, recovered after losing his advantage at the start to regain the lead and steer his Mercedes to his ninth win this year, his fifth in Texas and the 62nd of his career.

Four-time champion Vettel came home second for Ferrari and, with three races remaining, trails Hamilton by 66 points in the drivers’ title race.

Hamilton now needs just to finish only fifth in Mexico next weekend to claim a fourth world title.

“We had a beautiful day. I love this track. I think this track is now my favourite,” Hamilton said after the race.

Hamilton’s victory, with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas finishing fifth, confirmed the team as constructors champions for 2017 and for the fourth consecutive season.

“At the start, it was looking good but quickly we realised we couldn’t do the same pace as Lewis. Overall, not the result we wanted,” Vettel said.

Dutchman Max Verstappen crossed the line in third place after a controversial final corner passing move that saw his Red Bull car run off track as he swept beyond Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.

The move was investigated immediately by the stewards who gave Verstappen, who had already gone to the podium ceremony waiting room, a five seconds penalty that cost him third and lifted Raikkonen back to third for Ferrari.

All this meant that Verstappen finished fourth ahead of Bottas, Frenchman Esteban Ocon of Force India and Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who finished seventh on his debut, with Renault following his move from Toro Rosso.