Hamilton sovereign, Mercedes Constructors champion

Definitely unbeatable, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) won without a shadow of doubt the United States Grand Prix contested on the Austin circuit (Texas). The English driver is ahead, as on the starting grid, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari).

The German only really worried the Mercedes during the start. Author of an ideal takeoff, Sebastian Vettel overtook Lewis Hamilton at the start of the first braking. But, as soon as the DRS was available, the latter regained the ascendancy. Thanks to this new success, the three-time British world champion increases his lead to 66 points with three rounds remaining in the season. More important for his employer, Mercedes became Constructors' world champion for the fourth time in a row.

The fight for the lowest step on the podium will have been more indecisive. Initially owned by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), its lack of bite during the last loops was the reason for a good result. The Finn was dropped by Sebastian Vettel, then by Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The Dutchman ultimately demonstrated that he still possessed his unique touch of madness, by overtaking Kimi Räikkönen with all four wheels off the track in the last sector of the final lap. The commissioners did not appreciate this maneuver, and took him off the podium with a five-second penalty.

French Esteban Ocon (Force India) once again delivered a solid race. Starting 7th, he resisted the pressure exerted by his teammate Sergio Pérez (8th) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (Renault 7th) to finish at the gates of the Top 5. The Spanish driver also made a flamboyant overtake on Sergio Pérez on the outside of a long, fast curve.

The second tricolor engaged, Romain Grosjean (Haas), finished 14th. Four drivers did not see the finish, all for mechanical reasons: Nico Hulkenberg (Renault), Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber), Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Fernando Alonso (McLaren).

Find the analysis of the United States GP in issue 2136 of AUTOHebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.