Race – United States: A dazzling Texan thriller crowns Lewis Hamilton!

The weekend in Austin had so far unfolded under particularly rainy weather conditions, to the point that Free Practice 2 and Q3 had to be canceled. Nevertheless, about twenty minutes before the start of the race, Force India humorously wondered what this big yellow ball that appeared in the sky was. The track was drying, the sun was appearing, and the question arose: would all the drivers start on intermediate tires? And would we see slick tires used in the middle of the race? Strategically, the race promised to be enticing…

The starting grid consisted of teammates: the first row was dominated by Mercedes (Rosberg-Hamilton), the second by Red Bull (Ricciardo-Kyvat), and the third by Force India (Perez-Hülkenberg). As for the Ferraris, they started at the back of the pack due to engine penalties but could rely on the Scuderia’s Power Unit upgrades to move up on the track.

The challenge of the race was simple for Lewis Hamilton, who could bring back his third world title from Austin if he scored more than two points more than Rosberg and more than seven more than Vettel. With a comfortable lead, however, the Briton also knew there was no urgency and that managing his advantage here in the USA could be, if not tricky, then at least more safe.

Pitlane open and the weather is looking much brighter than earlier. Still plenty of spray though #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/X3NiZfEDx3

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

Initially, all the drivers were indeed on intermediate tires. Would they stay on them for long? Lewis Hamilton was already warning on the radio: the track was drying quickly.

Green light! Lewis Hamilton got a better start than his teammate. He dove inside at the first corner… and vehemently squeezed Nico Rosberg. Forced to go wide, the German gave up three positions and found himself 5th. He quickly passed the Force India of Sergio Perez but was already significantly behind his teammate, then virtually world champion. Kvyat, in 2nd, and Ricciardo, in 3rd, were primarily responsible for this.

In the rest of the field, the remarkable start of the Ferraris was noteworthy: starting far back on the grid, the red cars were nonetheless 8th (Vettel) and 10th (Räikkönen) by the end of the first lap. Carlos Sainz, starting last, was even 11th! However, the two Saubers had collided, and Romain Grosjean had a puncture. Valtteri Bottas also came into the pits to fit… slick tires! The paddock was ready to closely follow the Finnish driver’s lap times…

A chaotic start at the #USGP. Grosjean, Alonso, Rossi, Nasr & Bottas have all had to pit. Stevens out pic.twitter.com/lrT1PCZjiH

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

Unfortunately for Valtteri Bottas, as for Felipe Nasr, who also switched to slicks, the result was undeniable: the intermediate tires were much better suited to the early race conditions. The Finn realized this and returned to the pits to retire a few laps later.

In the 5th lap, the debris caused by the incidents in the first lap was still on the curbs. The race management waited for an incident to react: Nico Hülkenberg clipped a piece of Sauber’s wing and was immediately overtaken by two cars. The Virtual Safety Car then made its appearance; the gaps were neutralized. The top 5 were: Hamilton, Kvyat, Ricciardo, Rosberg, and Perez. Vettel was 6th, Verstappen 7th, Räikkönen 8th.

At the restart, Nico Rosberg managed to surprise Daniel Ricciardo and moved up to third, now targeting Russian Daniil Kvyat. It only took a few corners for the German to overtake the second Red Bull. However, Daniel Ricciardo complained over the radio: Nico Rosberg allegedly did not fully respect the speed limit imposed by the VSC regime. The images seemed to support the Australian, but the matter was still pending at the 9th lap of the race. No penalty was subsequently issued.

The track was drying up, but the drivers still had to stay on intermediate tires. Having held on in the first lap, Romain Grosjean, who had gambled on fitting slick tires, had to pit, like Valtteri Bottas a little earlier, to retire after already being lapped by the leaders. The Frenchman was also experiencing significant brake problems…

At the 13th lap, there was excitement at the front! Daniil Kvyat launched an attack on Nico Rosberg at the first corner but went too wide, allowing Daniel Ricciardo to pass. Then it was the turn of the Mercedes driver to slip up. Daniel Ricciardo found himself in second position! All of this, of course, benefited Hamilton, who was more than ever the virtual world champion… Continuing his momentum, the Australian secured the fastest lap and closed to six-tenths behind Lewis Hamilton.

And what we saw coming happened: in the penultimate corner, Daniel Ricciardo superbly passed Lewis Hamilton and was now leading the pack! The wet conditions clearly favored the Red Bulls… In the next corner, Lewis Hamilton, visibly struggling, or perhaps annoyed, almost got overtaken by Nico Rosberg. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo kept setting the fastest laps…

LAP 16/56: Ricciardo takes Hamilton down the inside and leads the #USGP! #F1 pic.twitter.com/yh82nOd9cJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

What a show! On the 18th lap, Lewis Hamilton, increasingly struggling with his rear tires, couldn’t fend off Nico Rosberg’s attack this time. He was no longer the world champion and returned to the pits to fit medium tires. The following lap, he was imitated by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Rosberg. Lewis Hamilton couldn’t overtake with the undercut but stayed close to Daniil Kvyat, who was then in 3rd place. His better-heated tires allowed him to seriously threaten the Russian. A few laps later, Hamilton also easily overtook Daniel Ricciardo. Everything was falling into place…

At the 20th lap, the top 5 was as follows: Ricciardo, Rosberg, Kvyat, Hamilton, and Perez. Kimi Räikkönen went off track and hit an advertising barrier. He waved his steering wheel around to free himself from the Rolex sign. But his wing was visibly very damaged… The Finn had clearly lost his composure after a tough battle with the insolent but incredibly talented Max Verstappen.

Lap 21/56: Räikkönen slides into the gravel – but he somehow manages to get his Ferrari going again #USGP pic.twitter.com/As4t9ppbua

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

In the 22nd lap, the Mercedes, on a dry track, got the better of the Red Bull. Daniel Ricciardo was overtaken by Nico Rosberg, who very easily regained the lead of the race. At the same time, Lewis Hamilton passed Daniil Kvyat. The return to normal was also happening in fifth place: Sebastian Vettel was putting together excellent laps and took the fourth position from Daniil Kvyat.

At the bottom of the standings, Williams recorded the retirement of Felipe Massa, who could thus join his teammate Valtteri Bottas to watch a thrilling race more comfortably. Kimi Räikkönen and Marcus Ericsson also had to retire. Very good in sixth, Max Verstappen had earlier held off Sebastian Vettel for a few laps, proving his performance on a wet track.

Thrilling racing in Austin… #USGP pic.twitter.com/HcTJFLaYbz

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

On the 27th lap, Ericsson’s Sauber was dangerously immobilized on the track, and the Safety Car was deployed. The race was once again restarted! Sebastian Vettel decided to stop and switch to medium tires, the hardest in the Pirelli range this weekend, and thus attempt a gamble: to finish the race on this set and aim for one less stop than everyone else. Such a wager was risky: the degradation of the slick tires simply couldn’t be evaluated during this weekend!

On the 32nd lap, before the restart, the order was as follows: Rosberg, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Kyvat, Vettel, Verstappen, Hülkenberg, Pérez, Button. Only 14 drivers were left on the track. The local of the event, Alexander Rossi, in the only Manor still on track, was in a gratifying 13th place.

At the restart, Nico Rosberg managed to hold off Lewis Hamilton, while Daniel Ricciardo put more pressure on the Englishman. With his new tires, Sebastian Vettel succeeded in overtaking Daniil Kvyat, who was struggling much more. Continuing his momentum and with his new Ferrari Power Unit, Sebastian Vettel went for Daniel Ricciardo’s scalp… but only for one corner. The Ferrari came back shortly after and succeeded in overtaking him for good this time. Now on the podium and with one less pit stop in his strategy, the German hoped to threaten the two Mercedes and delay Lewis Hamilton’s crowning a little longer.

LAP 34/56: Vettel and Ricciardo trade places, trade back and trade again – all action and Vettel has P3 #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Fxnl1LHxYn

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen inserted himself between the two Red Bulls. The young Dutchman once again showcased his talent to everyone and secured 4th place. Daniil Kvyat, in the official Red Bull, unfortunately ran out of tires and lost several positions.

Then sixth on the track, Nico Hülkenberg attempted a daring overtake on Daniel Ricciardo and couldn’t avoid the collision. More drama, always drama! The Force India driver once again ruined his race with an unfortunate incident… As for the Australian, once a spirited leader, he was now struggling with a stubborn Red Bull and had to give up his 5th place to his teammate Daniil Kvyat. The incident left its mark and the race direction reintroduced the Virtual Safety Car.

LAP 39/56: Virtual Safety Car is out after the incident between Ricciardo and Hülkenberg #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/gBzAS0OVOC

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

Most of the drivers took the opportunity to stop, like Nico Rosberg and the two Red Bulls. However, Lewis Hamilton decided to stay on track with Sebastian Vettel hot on his heels. For the Englishman, the equation was simple: the Ferrari would not – normally – stop again due to a smarter stop a few laps earlier. Would Lewis Hamilton last until the end by managing his tires?

On the 40th lap, the top 5 were as follows: Hamilton, Vettel, Rosberg, Verstappen, Button. Fernando Alonso’s second McLaren was 6th. It just goes to show that experience is sometimes more valuable than a Honda engine…

LAP 42/56: Look who’s here – Button and Alonso up to P5 and P6 #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5bj35cNIjE

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

Behind Sebastian Vettel, one certainly couldn’t forget the vengeful pole-sitter, Nico Rosberg, who had taken advantage of the Virtual Safety Car to make a pit stop. With new tires and only six seconds behind Lewis Hamilton, victory was more than conceivable for the German. But nothing went as planned for him…

A new race incident on the 43rd lap indeed disrupted the teams’ strategies! Daniil Kvyat hit the rails head-on at the exit of the last turn. Logically, the Safety Car, very real this time, took to the track. Lewis Hamilton took the opportunity to finally stop at the pits… just like Sebastian Vettel! With twelve laps remaining, Scuderia was making a new gamble. It was Nico Rosberg’s turn to be on more worn tires!

On the 46th lap, before the restart and ten laps before the end, the top 5 was: Rosberg, Hamilton, Verstappen, Vettel, Alonso. And the end of the Grand Prix was promising! There was even hope, from the side of Toro Rosso or McLaren, for a big result in case of another twist…

LAP 47/56: The safety car pulls in and 12 cars remain – ROS HAM VES VET ALO PER RIC BUT MAL SAI RSI NAS #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L0RCTtFGvr

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

At the restart, everything went rather well for the twelve drivers still on track. Sebastian Vettel, on fresh tires, took only one lap to get past Max Verstappen. There was then a battle between Jenson Button, Carlos Sainz, and Sergio Perez, with 6th place in their sights.

Suddenly, the director showed Lewis Hamilton leading the race. Another twist in this superb Grand Prix! What had happened? Nico Rosberg had simply missed a turn and went off track. This glaring mistake naturally benefited his biggest rival. Lewis Hamilton became the virtual world champion again. Sebastian Vettel, on fresh tires, was now threatening Nico Rosberg’s second place… and could still deprive the Englishman of an immediate third title.

LAP 49/56: Rosberg makes a mistake and Hamilton goes through – is he about to claim the world title? #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/PesOPvR4Zt

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

However, the final laps were going to be a bit more restrained than the rest of the race… which was hardly difficult! Jenson Button, in 6th, was holding off Carlos Sainz as best as he could, while Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo had to pit again. And to think the Australian was comfortably leading in the first quarter of the race…

Lewis Hamilton passed the last corner just as he had passed the first: leading the Grand Prix. But what twists and turns in the meantime! His victory may indeed be called lucky, but the Englishman made no mistakes on the track.

Was Hamilton going to be crowned? It took until the last lap of the race, and even the last corner, because Sebastian Vettel was threatening Nico Rosberg and could still delay Hamilton’s crowning until Mexico, in a week. However, the Ferrari finished just a whisker behind the second Silver Arrow…

And with that incredible suspense, Lewis Hamilton was crowned world champion! Following his titles in 2008 and 2014, the former McLaren driver joined Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart, and Jack Brabham in the ranks of triple world champions.

Congratulations @LewisHamilton, you are a three-time #F1 world champion! #USGP pic.twitter.com/DeAaz0YgSO

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 Octobre 2015

In 4th place was Max Verstappen, matching the best result of his young career. The Dutchman once again impressed observers. Behind Sergio Perez, a solid 5th, Jenson Button, in a McLaren without any engine updates, picked up eight points in 6th place. Carlos Sainz, in 7th, secured a solid result for Toro Rosso but remained once again in the shadow of his teammate.