Sport
Lewis Hamilton wins U.S. Grand Prix
A victorius Lewis Hamilton holds aloft his trophy next to second placed Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (l) and third placed Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso after the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012. PHOTO/Adrees Latif/REUTERS
Lewis Hamilton wanted to make Formula One’s return to the U.S. something special, for him and for racing.
Hamilton did just that Sunday, using a thrilling pass of Sebastian Vettel at the end of a long straightaway to take the lead, then holding off the German for the final 14 laps to win the U.S. Grand Prix, the first Formula One race on American soil since 2007.
Hamilton won that race five years ago and made the move of the day Sunday to capture his fourth victory of the 2012 season.
“Wicked!” roared Hamilton, who pumped his fists, waved to the crowd and danced on the nose of his car after the win. “This is one of the best, if not the best Grand Prix, we’ve had all year.”
Hamilton had driven his McLaren car to wins in Canada, Hungary and Italy earlier this season and relished his chance to return to the U.S. Grand Prix, run on the new US$400 million Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton talked of his love affair with the U.S. all week and raced with the stars and stripes of the American flag painted on top of his helmet. After the win, he wore a black cowboy hat on the podium.
Red Bull’s Vettel, who had a string of four consecutive victories end two weeks ago, started on the pole Sunday. The two-time defending world champion was a heavy favorite to win and perhaps even clinch his third consecutive world title.
