Texas: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished 2.8 seconds ahead of his German team mate Nico Rosberg to win a thrilling US Grand Prix, here on Sunday that took him to the elite club of triple Formula One World Champions. Meanwhile, Ferrari`s four-times champion Sebastian Vettel finished third, after starting 13th.
Hamilton took the 10th win of this season and the 43rd win of his Formula One career enroute to sealing his third World Drivers’ Championship crown. The result also saw Hamilton become the 10th driver to win three or more titles and the only Briton to successfully defend his crown. He also became the first driver to claim 10 or more victories in consecutive season.
“It’s an overwhelming moment. Thinking about how much my family sacrificed. And also thinking about my fans. They give me so much energy and I hope to inspire them to never give up on their hopes and dreams. The race today was amazing and anything could have happened,” said Hamilton.
“I was in lead and then I was fourth. The condition was really very tricky. Nico was driving really well too. All the way I was thinking the championship is there somewhere—how can I get it? I was so close, I could smell it,” said the champion, who had needed to beat Vettel by nine points and Rosberg by two to take the crown with three races to spare.
“I couldn`t have done it without this team who have powered me for the last three years,” said Hamilton.
