LEWIS Hamilton made British Formula One history as he won the US Grand Prix for the second time in three years and closed in on title glory last night.
The gap between Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg is now 24 points with 75 up for grabs in the final two races after the 29-year-old claimed the chequered flag in front of a 100,000-strong crowd at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It was the 32nd victory of Hamilton’s career, making him the most successful Briton in F1 in terms of race wins, edging him ahead of 1992 champion Nigel Mansell.
The decisive moment came in lap 24 when Hamilton produced a stunning overtake of leader Rosberg in the sharp left-hander at Turn 12. Hamilton did all he needed to keep the German at bay and secure his fifth victory in a row, finishing four seconds ahead of his team-mate after the 56 laps. It was the 10th Mercedes one-two this year, equalling McLaren’s 1988 mark set by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo took third but is now mathematically out of the hunt and it is a straight fight between Hamilton and Rosberg.
After the podium ceremony Hamilton acknowledged his achievement and said: “I’ve been so fortunate. “This is an incredible team, I’ve an incredible car and I’m really grateful to be up front. “I’m also so proud to be representing my country and to be top of the driver wins is quite special. The car was great today. “It’s been an incredible run. This whole season has been incredible really.”
Hamilton also becomes the first non-German to win 10 races in a season, with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher both having won 11 and 13 apiece. In addition he is only the seventh driver in F1 to win at least five in a row, with the others being Alberto Ascari, Vettel, Schumacher, Jack Brabham, Scotland’s Jim Clark and Mansell.
Rosberg was forced to settle for second best for the 10th time this year after failing to convert pole position into a race victory for the seventh occasion in nine attempts. But with double points on offer at the last event in Abu Dhabi in three weeks he could yet steal the crown from Hamilton. On yesterday’s result Rosberg said: “It sucks but that’s the way it is. I only found my rhythm when Lewis went past me but by then it was too late.”
