Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

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

Re-live the action from the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas

Jack de Menezes
Sunday 21 October 2018 14:58 EDT
Comments
Lewis Hamilton's career profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

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

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)
Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:21

Lap 4: Raikkonen is already complaining about oversteer through the final sector, which gives Mercedes all they need to give Hamilton the green light to challenge him. Vettel meanwhile is past Magnussen and Sirotkin to take 10th.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:23

Lap 5: Grosjean comes in to retire, and replays show it was his fault in colliding with Leclerc as he locked up the Haas and slid straight into the Ferrari-bound driver.

Stroll has also been handed a portion of blame as he gets a drive-through penalty for hitting Alonso.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:25

Lap 7: Here comes Mad Max as Verstappen flies past the Renault of Hulkenberg to take fifth. With Vettel three places behind, thos two could well find themselves in a squabble later in the race.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:27

Lap 9: DRAMA! Ricciardo's Red Bull has ground to a halt at the start of the back straight, and the Aussie is out of the race!

A nightmare that he's experienced far too many times this season, and that promotes Verstappen to fourth and Vettel to fifth - one place behind where he needs to be to keep the title battle alive.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:30

Lap 10: VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR!

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:31

Lap 11: None of the fronts runners have decided to come in, although both Raikkonen and Hamilton had already passed pit lane entry when the VSC came out. Vettel decided not to, which feels like a mistake, and now Hamilton has been givent he message to do the opposite of Raikkonen.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:33

Lap 11: Hamilton pits from second!

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:34

Lap 12: VSC over! Back to green, and only Hamilton pitted there, as well as a few of the runners down the order. That could be a big mistake from Ferrari.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:35

Lap 13: Raikkonen gets a message that Hamilton is "most likely" on a two-stopper, that pretty much everyone disagrees with. He's only 3.8s behind Bottas, and 8s behind Raikkonen despite pitting.

Jack de Menezes21 October 2018 19:36

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in