![]() ![]() “I think this is definitely our acceptance into the US,” Hamilton said. The race was cancelled last year because of the pandemic but a sold-out Sunday crowd estimated at 140,000 spectators underlines F1’s growing popularity in the US with a second American race on the calendar in 2022, when Miami makes its debut. “They just had the upper hand this weekend.” “Congratulations to Max, he did a great job today,” Hamilton said. But Hamilton was generous in his praise for the Dutchman after what was a controlled and mature performance. “Unbelievable.”įireworks were anticipated after collisions between the pair this season at Silverstone and Monza, while Verstappen called Hamilton a “stupid idiot” and directed a middle finger at his rival when their cars almost made contact during a practice session on Friday. “Yes, guys!” Verstappen celebrated over the team radio. With five laps to go, Hamilton was less than two seconds behind Verstappen, but the Red Bull held him off – just. That left him with a nine-second deficit to erode, but he was now clearly quicker than his opponent. Verstappen came in for his second stop ahead of lap 30, allowing Hamilton to regain first place. But the seven-time world champion ate away at the 24-year-old’s advantage, reducing it to about three seconds halfway through the race. When he rejoined traffic, Verstappen had taken a six-second lead. Verstappen first pitted before lap 11, with Hamilton coming in for fresh tyres three laps later. Morning drizzle in central Texas gave way to warmer temperatures and a partly cloudy sky, with a track temperature of over 38C stressing tyres. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, was third. ![]() He did at least pick up a bonus point for recording the fastest lap. “Two tracks which are very strong circuits for Red Bull, it’s going to be tough,” Hamilton said. Next up is Mexico City on 7 November, where the high altitude is predicted to favour Red Bull – as well, perhaps, as heighten Mercedes’ engine reliability worries. “It wasn’t easy because the tyres were really finished.” “The last stint was very long, in this heat especially, and we managed to hang on in the end,” he said. “It was what we had.” Verstappen won by 1.3 seconds to double his championship lead to 12 points with five races remaining. “I don’t know what we could have done differently,” Hamilton said soberly after an outcome that damages his ambitions of an eighth title, perhaps grievously. ![]() Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez and Honda’s F1 managing director Masashi Yamamoto (left to right) on the podium. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |