As we head to the USA Grand Prix, four races now remain in the 2016 Formula One world champion and 33 points separate the two title protagonists in Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. Join us on The Roar from 6:00am (AEDT) for all the action in our live blog.
This weekend’s United States Grand Prix sees a return to the popular Circuit of the Americas, in Texas for a fifth time.
The 5.5km technical circuit is a blend of undulation with portions of some iconic tracks from around the world sliced into it. The first sector’s ‘S’ corners are a replica of Silverstone’s Maggots and Becketts, while the final sectors see a tribute to the double apex Turn 8 curve from the moribund Istanbul Park.
Championship wise, it is a crucial weekend for the reigning world champ Hamilton. Having not won a race since before the mid-season break, the onus is on to win all four of the remaining events to have a shot at retaining his crown.
The Briton was able to clinch pole position, which happened to be his first in Austin. Behind was his teammate Rosberg.
Both of the Mercedes AMG cars will start the race on the more durable soft tyre, which is set to aid them in their first stint. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo will be on the supersoft tire from third.
With starts being such a point of emphasis in 2016 for Hamilton, the result of this grand prix almost hinges on the kind of start that the 31-year old makes.
Rosberg from second the grid, with his form off the line, could yet strip his teammate and win for the first time on US soil.
Red Bull cannot be ruled out of contention either, starting from the second row on the grid. With their split tyre strategy, the team could have many options for Ricciardo and Max Verstappen to challenge for the win.
Ferrari brought up the third row of the grid, with Kimi Räikkönen leading Sebastian Vettel. What fate in the race awaits the beleaguered Scuderia?
The mid-field will be competitive as ever, with Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg qualifying seventh ahead of the Williams duo. They along with the Toro Rossos and McLaren of Fernando Alonso will be in with a shot of points finishes.
Three out of the four races contested in Austin have been won by Hamilton. Can the king on American turf chalk up a fifth? Join me from 6:00am on The Roar for live blog coverage of the United States Grand Prix.
zena92
Guest
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Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
That about wraps up this live blog of the United States Grand Prix. Join us again in seven days time for the Mexican round of the championship, where Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will continue to duke it out before the 2016 title is decided. Thanks and have a good day!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
A 50th win in Formula One then for Lewis Hamilton, puts him within one of the tally of the great Alain Prost. The crucial victory keeps his title hopes alive, going into the final three races of the season. Second place for Nico Rosberg was damage limitation in a way, but he retains a lead in the standings of 28 points. Daniel Ricciardo laments having lost out following his teammate Max Verstappen's retirement, which brought out the virtual safety car. The Red Bull driver could have potentially split the two Silver Arrows, but there wasn't enough pace to claim victory today. Fourth for Sebastian Vettel puts him ahead of his teammate Kimi Räikkönen in the standings, following a bizarre retirement for the Finn following his third stop. Fernando Alonso triumphed in an intense, three-way battle for fifth with Carlos Sainz and Felipe Massa. A stewards inquiry still looms over the brutal pass on Massa, but it could still work in the favour of the dual-world champion. The Spaniard was joined by his McLaren teammate in Jenson Button in the points also, with the 2009 world champion claiming a well earned ninth. Celebrating his 100th grand prix was Romain Grosjean and he was able to deliver his US based Haas team a solitary point with tenth.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
-------- DRIVER'S -------- 331 - Nico Rosberg 305 - Lewis Hamilton 227 - Daniel Ricciardo 177 - Sebastian Vettel 170 - Kimi Räikkönen 165 - Max Verstappen 84 -- Sergio Perez 81 -- Valtteri Bottas 54 -- Nico Hulkenberg 52 -- Fernando Alonso 49 -- Felipe Massa 38 -- Carlos Sainz 29 -- Romain Grosjean 25 -- Daniil Kvyat 21 -- Jenson Button 7 --- Kevin Magnussen 1 --- Jolyon Palmer 1 --- Pascal Wehrlein 1 --- Stoffel Vandoorne 0 --- Esteban Gutierrez 0 --- Marcus Ericsson 0 --- Felipe Nasr 0 --- Rio Haryanto 0 --- Esteban Ocon
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
----- CONSTRUCTOR'S ----- 636 - Mercedes AMG 400 - Red Bull Racing 347 - Scuderia Ferrari 138 - Force India Mercedes 130 - Williams Mercedes 74 -- McLaren Honda 55 -- Scuderia Toro Rosso 29 -- Haas Ferrari 8 --- Renault Sport 1 --- Manor Mercedes 0 --- Sauber Ferrari
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
PODIUM INTERVIEWS - Hosted by Gerard Butler: HAMILTON - "This has always been a good hunting ground for me." ROSBERG - "I lost out a bit at the start. Second place is ok, it's damage limitation for me." RICCIARDO - "The race wasn't that exciting, but..." (Makes Gerard Butler drink Red Bull out of his boot).
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
The results from the 56 lap US Grand Prix. 1 L. Hamilton 2 N. Rosberg 3 D. Ricciardo 4 S. Vettel 5 F. Alonso 6 C. Sainz 7 F. Massa 8 S. Perez 9 J. Button 10 R. Grosjean 11 K. Magnussen 12 D. Kvyat 13 J. Palmer 14 M. Ericsson 15 F. Nasr 16 V. Bottas 17 P. Wehrlein 18 E. Ocon RET K. Räikkönen RET M. Verstappen RET E. Gutierrez RET N. Hulkenberg
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
LEWIS HAMILTON returns to the winner's circle, triumphing for a fifth time on US soil. Second place is the best NICO ROSBERG could have done, as he maintains his lead in the championship standings. And another podium finish for DANIEL RICCIARDO, who may still lament the free pit-stop taken by his rivals following the VSC period.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 56/56: "YEE-HA," exclaims Alonso, with that move into fifth. The incident between Kvyat and Magnussen to be investigated post-race too.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 56/56: FINAL LAP lonso passes Sainz! Taking away a potential career best finish for his junior compatriot.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 55/56: Front-left puncture for Massa, who has to take service for a new set of tyres. But he will not lose position.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 55/56: Great stuff there from Magnussen on getting past Kvyat for P11. Both drivers will be hampered there by the blue flags, as Vettel comes to lap the duo.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 54/56: THREE LAPS TO GO Vettel in the lane for a free stop, as he won't lose any positions. Rosberg now closes the gap to 5.8 seconds, but it won't be to any avail with three laps remaining. McLaren urge Alonso on to catch and pass Sainz. Nasr passes Bottas meanwhile in their scrap for P15.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 53/56: Meanwhile the sister Williams of Bottas passes Nasr for P15. The stewards will investigate the incident between Massa and Alonso post-race.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 52/56: This was way too close and now there's a tiny bit of contact between Alonso and Massa! The Spaniard does get himself past the Williams now in P6. A brutal, but perhaps neccessary move.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 52/56: FIVE LAPS TO GO
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 51/56: Has Hamilton just turned his engine down, or is Rosberg pushing now? The gap is down to 6.3 seconds and closing.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 51/56: Alonso outside of the DRS range, will be a reprieve for Massa. It appears that the Brazilian now has Sainz back in his sights.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 50/56: Palmer yields then to Magnussen, who is lapping 4 seconds quicker than Ericsson at the moment.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 49/56: Magnussen on the supersoft tyres is now all over the rear of his teammate Palmer, who is on the 21 lap old medium tyres. Will the Briton yield? With Renault keeping one eye on the Sauber of Ericsson in P12.