Despite starting from the coveted pole position at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday afternoon, it wasn't the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton that was leading into the first corner, the three time world champion dropping to second place after losing out to his rival for this year's world championship title, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who started alongside him on the front row of the grid.
However, Lewis had no intention of just sitting behind the Ferrari and following him home, he instantly fought back and stormed to his sixth USGP victory and extended his lead over Vettel to 66 points with three races remaining. All he needs to do now is finish fifth or higher in this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, no matter where Vettel finishes, and his fourth championship crown will be delivered on a platter. .
"The race was great," he said after Sunday's race. "I have to say probably one of the most fun races that I've had for a while. I didn't get away to a great start, I'm not really sure why, but Sebastian got a great start. I was kind of chilled about it, just knowing from the past that you can overtake here. It was great to have that battle, trying to get close; trying to get in the DRS. It was very reminiscent of 2012 here, seeing Sebastian up ahead.โ
"I had a lot of fun trying to get closer and obviously it came down to the overtake in Turn 12, which again was the same as 2012. That is what I looked for and that is what I enjoyed the most. I was a little bit surprised Sebastian didn't defend more, but it was fair. Then, after that, I had a little bit of a battle with Verstappen, which was like karting days, from one corner to the other. It was good fun."
While Lewis's title hopes had to carry on the next race, that wasn't the case for the team who secured their fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship with the result at the Circuit of the Americas with three rounds remaining.
"A big congratulations to everyone in the team, all the partners, everyone back at the factories and everyone here," Lewis said. "There has been an incredible push for this kind of performance this year. We've really pulled together this year - even more than I've experienced or seen over the last five years - to create something quite special. So, I'm really proud for everyone. Especially in going from one era of car to another, which has not been done before. It just shows strength and depth and I'm really proud to be part of it."
