F1: Bottas Wins US Grand Prix As Hamilton Takes Sixth World Title

By
Brandon Dawe
-
1
2224

Bottas Wins As Hamilton takes Sixth World Title at Circuit of the Americas.

Hamilton Makes History In Austin

Hamilton’s podium finish in Texas makes him only the second driver in Formula 1 history to win 6 or more drivers championships.

Putting the Brit only one title away from matching Michael Schumacher’s legendary seven.

Hamilton: “My Dad told me when I was six or seven years old never to give up, it’s the family motto.”

“I don’t know about championships, but as an athlete I feel fresh as can be right now. I’m ready for the next race, we’ll keep pushing.”

After Hamilton’s less than ideal qualifying performance, Mercedes opted to roll the dice on strategy.

The team putting Lewis on a one-stop, contrary to both Bottas & Verstappen behind on two-stops.

Although, just like in Mexico, Hamilton started to have doubts about the decision, fearing his tyres would not go the distance.

However, The Brit managed his tyres to perfection, displaying a valiant defensive effort in the latter stages of the race.

Unfortunately it was to no avail, as Bottas, who was on fresh medium tyres, dived down the inside into Turn 12.

The Finn, who then took the lead, held the position to flag to take his seventh career victory.

Bottas: “It’s a nice win. The car felt very good and it’s been a good weekend for us.”

“Big congratulations to Lewis. There’s always next year for me, but he deserves it.”

Hamilton & Bottas celebrating their respective victories at the US Grand Prix in Austin. Image sourced from @Fox_Motorsport via Twitter.

With Lewis’ tyres fading, Max Verstappen saw blood, and proceeded to hunt down the Silver Arrow of Hamilton.

As the Red Bull edged closer, Hamilton was given a life line in the form of yellow flags.

Which were shown for the stricken Haas of Kevin Magnussen, who suffered a rear brake failure late on.

With Magnussen beached in the gravel just outside of Turn 12, Verstappen was forced to halt any attack into that corner.

An incident which allowed Hamilton to deny the Dutchman a second place finish.

Max Verstappen’s late charge for second was cut short due to Magnussen’s incident. Image sourced from @RedBullRacing via Twitter.

Verstappen: “It was a very good race for us. The yellow flags at the end meant that I couldn’t use DRS when I was chasing P2, but it’s great to be on the podium. Congratulations to Lewis.”

Heartbreak For Ferrari

With Sebastian Vettel starting from second and Charles Leclerc from fourth, the Scuderia looked set to challenge for victory in Austin.

However, the Scuderia’s race unravelled fairly quickly once the lights went out.

Vettel struggled with tyre temperatures early on, as well as suffering from a horrendous start.

The German dropping back to seventh place, just behind McLaren’s Lando Norris & Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault.

Soon after, Vettel started to complain about major understeer and asked the team to check for damage.

As the race progressed, suddenly Vettel’s rear suspension snapped while he was chasing down Daniel Ricciardo.

Vettel: “It was very poor grip in the first lap, I had to let a lot of cars by. I struggled to get the tyres to work, especially in right hand corners.”

“Then some laps later the suspension failed over the bump in Turn 9.”

Although his race came to a premature end, Vettel made the time to congratulate both Bottas & Hamilton on their respective victories.

With Vettel now out of the race, Ferrari’s hopes rested on Charles Leclerc.

Unfortunately for the Italian outfit, Leclerc was unable to extract the pace necessary to mount a podium challenge.

The Monégasque crossing the line in a disappointing fourth place, ahead of Red Bull Rookie Alexander Albon in fifth.

Albon’s fifth place secured him a sixth consecutive top-six finish.

Albon’s performance in Austin puts him in prime position to retain his seat for 2020. Image sourced from @RedBullRacing via Twitter.

In turn, further cementing himself as the top candidate to partner Verstappen in 2020.

However, after damage sustained in an incident on lap one with Carlos Sainz forced him in for repairs.

Albon, who was on a three-stop strategy, performed a stellar recovery drive to fifth place. The Thai being awarded with ‘Driver Of The Day’ for his efforts.

Ricciardo Claims Best Of The Rest

McLaren headed the mid-field pack on Saturday, but it was Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo who came out on top in during the US Grand Prix.

The Australian native coming home sixth, just in front of McLaren’s Lando Norris & Carlos Sainz in seventh & eight respectively.

It was the ‘Honey Badger’ Daniel Ricciardo who de-throned McLaren to claim best of the rest status in Texas. Image sourced from @RenaultF1Team via Twitter.

Behind them came Ricciardo’s team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, with the German driving picking up a solid ninth place finish.

After starting from the pit lane due to a weighbridge infringement in practice.

Racing Point’s Sergio Perez fought his way up to tenth position, but was hit by Daniinl Kvyat on the final lap, costing him a place.

However, the Mexican was still awarded the final point as Kvyat was hit with a post race penalty for causing a collision.

The Russian dropping down to twelfth as a result of the contact.

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