Reverend
June 17th, 2007, 20:45 PM
Lewis Hamilton produced yet another incredible display to claim his second straight win in a McLaren one-two at the United States Grand Prix.
The victory, in his first-ever race in Indianapolis, saw the Briton extend his lead over team-mate Fernando Alonso in the title race to 10 points.
Hamilton held off an attempted pass from Alonso on lap 39 but after that the pair did not race each other again. The Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen took third and fourth place.
Just seven days after claiming a maiden Grand Prix win in Canada, Hamilton delivered another assured drive at the famous Motor Speedway circuit.
"What a dream," said the 22-year old after he had climbed onto the podium for the seventh time in his fledgling seven-race Formula One career.
"To come to two circuits (Montreal and Indianapolis) that I didn't know and to really come out with such pace and to see the team moving forward is great.
"The last 15 laps seemed a lifetime, but I was in the lead, I was able to do it and I'm very emotional now."
After taking a second straight pole, Hamilton was able to complete a grid-to-flag victory, coolly dealing with Alonso's two attempts to pass him.
The Spanish world champion tried to hustle pole-sitter Hamilton off the grid but the rookie pulled away and used his now customary early pace to stretch his lead.
After making their first pit-stops just one lap apart, Alonso tried to pass Hamilton, who had become embroiled with the back-markers.
Alonso gathered pace in Hamilton's slipstream and the two McLarens went side-by-side down the main straight, only for Alonso to be thwarted by the Briton as they entered Turn One - after that tussle the McLarens did not race again.
McLaren's build-up to Indy had been dominated by Alonso and Hamilton's publicly sniping about favouritism within the team.
When it came to the crunch team boss Ron Dennis wisely chose to bring both his drivers home safely and preserve the points.
Hamilton added: "It was very tough, Alonso fought very well but at the end I managed to pull a gap which I was able to maintain and control the race."
United States Grand Prix:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren
2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren
3. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) Renault
6. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota
7. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull-Renault
8. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) BMW Sauber
Championship standings:
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 58 pts
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 48
3. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 39
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 32
5. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 26
6. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 13
7. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 12
8. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 12
Constructors' championship:
1. McLaren-Mercedes 106 pts
2. Ferrari 71
3. BMW Sauber 39
4. Renault 25
5. Williams-Toyota 13
Full race report (http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6761857.stm)
The victory, in his first-ever race in Indianapolis, saw the Briton extend his lead over team-mate Fernando Alonso in the title race to 10 points.
Hamilton held off an attempted pass from Alonso on lap 39 but after that the pair did not race each other again. The Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen took third and fourth place.
Just seven days after claiming a maiden Grand Prix win in Canada, Hamilton delivered another assured drive at the famous Motor Speedway circuit.
"What a dream," said the 22-year old after he had climbed onto the podium for the seventh time in his fledgling seven-race Formula One career.
"To come to two circuits (Montreal and Indianapolis) that I didn't know and to really come out with such pace and to see the team moving forward is great.
"The last 15 laps seemed a lifetime, but I was in the lead, I was able to do it and I'm very emotional now."
After taking a second straight pole, Hamilton was able to complete a grid-to-flag victory, coolly dealing with Alonso's two attempts to pass him.
The Spanish world champion tried to hustle pole-sitter Hamilton off the grid but the rookie pulled away and used his now customary early pace to stretch his lead.
After making their first pit-stops just one lap apart, Alonso tried to pass Hamilton, who had become embroiled with the back-markers.
Alonso gathered pace in Hamilton's slipstream and the two McLarens went side-by-side down the main straight, only for Alonso to be thwarted by the Briton as they entered Turn One - after that tussle the McLarens did not race again.
McLaren's build-up to Indy had been dominated by Alonso and Hamilton's publicly sniping about favouritism within the team.
When it came to the crunch team boss Ron Dennis wisely chose to bring both his drivers home safely and preserve the points.
Hamilton added: "It was very tough, Alonso fought very well but at the end I managed to pull a gap which I was able to maintain and control the race."
United States Grand Prix:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren
2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren
3. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) Renault
6. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota
7. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull-Renault
8. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) BMW Sauber
Championship standings:
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 58 pts
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 48
3. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 39
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 32
5. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 26
6. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 13
7. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 12
8. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 12
Constructors' championship:
1. McLaren-Mercedes 106 pts
2. Ferrari 71
3. BMW Sauber 39
4. Renault 25
5. Williams-Toyota 13
Full race report (http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6761857.stm)