Lewis Hamilton wins in Austin – but the world title must wait for now

Motorsport: Briton takes US GP honours to edge closer to world glory

Lewis Hamilton edged ever closer to winning a fourth world championship after a crushing victory over Sebastian Vettel at the United States Grand Prix yesterday.

Hamilton lost out to his fast-starting rival on the uphill dash to the first corner, but reclaimed the lead just six laps later.

The Briton survived a nervy opening pit stop, in which he rejoined the track just in front of Vettel, but this win – his ninth of an impressive season and fifth in the six grands prix since the summer break – rarely looked in doubt.

Hamilton now needs to finish only fifth in Mexico, the second race of this back-to-back instalment next Sunday, to clinch his fourth crown.

Hamilton crossed the line 10.1 seconds ahead of Vettel, with Max Verstappen, who started way down in 16th, producing another starling performance with a sensational last-lap move on Kimi Raikkonen.

The Dutchman however, was demoted to fourth from third after being handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track when he made his move on Raikkonen.

Valtteri Bottas finished fifth on a disappointing day for the Finn, but Northamptonshire-based Mercedes did enough to secure their fourth consecutive championship with three rounds still to go.

Boxing announcer Michael Buffer set the scene at a sun-blazed Circuit of the Americas by introducing each of the 20 drivers to the grid in a pre-race show full of razzmatazz in Liberty Media’s first race as Formula One’s owners on home soil.

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt was in attendance, as was former US president Bill Clinton.

Hamilton, who headed into the race well aware that he would be crowned champion if he won and Vettel finished outside the top five, was the last driver to be presented on to the grid before he made his way to the centre of the track to face off against his rival.

Vettel had to work hard for his runner-up spot after he stopped for a second time on lap 39.

He was the only driver of the frontrunners to attempt a two-stop strategy but he hunted down Bottas before making his move with a bold swoop around the outside of the Mercedes with five laps remaining.

Raikkonen then moved aside for his team-mate on the following lap.

Verstappen appeared to have completed a remarkable drive by finishing on the podium – only to be denied by the stewards after they penalised him for the move.

“I think this track is now my favourite,” said a jubilant Hamilton, who has won five of the six grands prix staged in Austin.

“A big congratulations to the team who have worked so hard back at the factory.

“They truly deserve it as they have been the best team this year.

“It is a dream job, and I know many of you would love to drive a Formula One car and I can tell you that it is the greatest experience and feeling in the world.

Hamilton was interviewed by Bolt on the podium before they performed the Jamaican sprinter’s signature pose.

Vettel, now 66 points behind Hamilton with only 75 remaining, added: “At the start it was looking good.

“We got past Lewis, but then we realised we could not match his pace today.

“Towards the end we decided to pit again so the last laps were especially exciting, but overall it was not the result we wanted.”

Picture: Getty Images. Lewis Hamilton on the podium in Austin as he celebrates his US GP victory, leaving him on the brink of a fourth world championship.