Lewis Hamilton cuts rival Nico Rosberg’s championship lead with his 50th career victory
Britain's Lewis Hamilton expressed his relief after ending his drought with a much-needed victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin – the 50th race win of his career.
Pole-sitter Hamilton topped the podium for the first time since the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in July to cut Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg’s lead at the top of the drivers’ championship to 26 points. Rosberg finished second in Texas and Daniel Ricciardo third.
The first chapter of Hamilton’s great championship escape has been completed with 75 points available from the remaining three races of the season. It was the reliability of his car, however, after previous mechanical woes which gave the 31-year-old the greatest satisfaction.
“It has been a long time coming and it feels even more special for that,” said three-time champion Hamilton, who trails only Michael Schumacher with 91 and the 51 of Alain Prost on the all-time list of career race victories.
“It has been a long, hard slog to get back here. The whole race I could not get my mind off the reliability issue. We had another problem during qualifying so I was down on power to Nico.
“It was nice to have a good, solid weekend. I was 100 per cent clear on my start, I knew the start was going to go that way and it was nice to be in that position after so many ups and downs. Let the battle continue and I hope it continues like this.
“All I can do is my best. Nico has been driving fantastically well all season but I will keep going.”
Victory also maintained Hamilton’s imperious form on the other side of the Atlantic. He has now won four of the five races held at the Circuit of the Americas and five in the United States in total.