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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jack de Menezes

US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton denied title as Kimi Raikkonen seals first win in over five years

Lewis Hamilton missed out on the world championship on Sunday evening as Kimi Raikkonen spoiled the party to clinch his first victory since March 2013.

Hamilton knew that a victory would have almost certainly secured him a fifth title, but Raikkonen gave him something to think about immediately as he took the lead into the first corner. However, Hamilton was still on for the championship as Sebastian Vettel spun on the opening lap, having made contact with Daniel Ricciardo.

But as Vettel fought back, Hamilton switched to a two-stop strategy that, ultimately, just fell short in getting him in to the second place that he needed as Max Verstappen came through the field to take second place with a phenomenal drive from 18th place on the grid.

The results means that while Hamilton is not yet the 2018 world champion, Vettel must win all three of the remaining races this season to stand any chance of stopping the Mercedes driver, who only needs seventh place in Mexico next time out to secure his victory.

Re-live all the action below.

Latest:
  • Raikkonen passes Hamilton at the start
  • Vettel spins after hitting Ricciardo on first lap
  • Hamilton on alternative two-stop strategy
  • As it stands, Hamilton will not be crowned world champion
  • Top 5: 1. RAI 2. VER 3. HAM 4. BOT 5. VET
  • RET: Alonso (Lap 1), Grosjean (Lap 3), Ricciardo (Lap 9)
Lewis Hamilton:
Massive congratulations to Kimi, he was just great today. 
Ultimately, year I came out and the pit window was very close, but after I did my stop and it was 12 seconds it was way too far for us to catch up, so I'm not sure how the gap got so big.
I'm really happy we got a top three though and Ferrari were good, they've picked up their pace.
CHEQUERED FLAG: KIMI RAIKKONEN WIN S THE US GRAND PRIX!
Lap 56: Raikkonen starts the final lap...as Vettel passes Bottas for fourth!
Lap 55: He's back on the track but a long way behind and that looks like his one and only chance to win it...
Lap 55: Hamilton goes for it! Round the outside of the long turns 17,18 and 19...he goes off!
Lap 54: Hamilton has the DRS but he simply doesn't have the tyres to get really, really close to the Red Bull.
Lap 53: Now Hamilton is on the back of Verstappen! The gap was just 0.7s when they crossed the line. What will it be at the DRS detection zone? It's 0.8!
Lap 51: This is playing into Raikkonen's hands. Verstappen is mighty quick through the first sector, which is keeping him out of DRS range on the back straight from Hamilton. The Mercedes meanwhile is struggling in the dirty air, and at the moment it looks like Raikkonen's going to win his first Grand Prix in 2004 days!
Lap 49: Hamilton's within a second of Verstappen! Raikkonen is 1.s seconds up the road, and there's only seven laps left. Meanwhile, Vettel is 0.7s behind Bottas that would mean Hamilton needs to win if he gets fourth!
Lap 48: Stroll has to get himself well out of the way as Raikkonen, Verstappen and Hamilton flash pass all on the same straight. This is set up to be a thrilling finish...
Lap 47: Hamilton is just 1.6s off the back of Verstappen and the position that will clinch the championship for him.
Lap 45: RACE UPDATE
1. Raikkonen
2. Verstappen +2.1s
3. Hamilton +2.5s
4. Bottas +5.0
5. Vettel +0.9s
Lap 44: Another lap, another second out of the lead from Hamilton.
Lap 43: Hamilton tells his engineer Bono that the deficit to Verstappen is "too big, it's too big", as his tyres will eventually drop off again. Bono tries to ease his concerns by claiming he'll have a big straight line advantage.
Lap 42: Hamilton is 5.2s off the back of Verstappen, and this could well be a tasty battle coming up. Meanwhile, Vettel is catching Bottas and is 3.8s behind. If he gets fourth, second is not enough for Hamilton.
Lap 41: Bottas duly obliges and lets Hamilton past in the most easiest of circumstances. He's up to third and is under 11 seconds behind Kimi, with Max in between them.

What time does it start?

The US Grand Prix starts at 7:10pm on Sunday 21 October.

Where can I watch it?

The United States Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 (5:30 BST) and Main Event (6:30pm BST) and Channel 4 (6pm BST).

Starting grid

1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1min 32.237secs

2 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:32.307

3 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:32.616

4 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:33.494

5 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:32.298 + three-place penalty

6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:34.145

7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:34.215

8 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:34.250

9 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Sauber-Ferrari 1:34.420

10 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:34.594

11 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:34.566

12 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:34.734

13 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:35.294

14 Sergey Sirotkin (Rus) Williams 1:35.362

15 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:35.480

16 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:35.536

17 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren 1:35.735

18 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull No Time + Five place grid penalty for gearbox change

19 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time + start from back due to engine penalties

20 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time + start from back due to engine penalties

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