Lewis Hamilton claimed his 50th Formula One victory in the United States Grand Prix to cut the gap to Mercedes-GP teammate Nico Rosberg in the drivers' championship.
The triple world champion dominated the race at Circuit of Americas to close his deficit to Rosberg, who was second, to 26 points with three races to go and increase the likelihood that the title will be decided at the final round of the season, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on November 27.
Hamilton converted pole position into the lead at the start and was only headed briefly during the pit stops as he cruised to his seventh win of 2016.
Rosberg had to work harder for his runner-up spot as he was overtaken by Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo at the start.
However, a Virtual Safety Car period, ironically after Ricciardo’s teammate Max Verstappen had stopped on track, allowed Rosberg to get back ahead.
Ricciardo was third, ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, with Fernando Alonso’s McLaren and Carlos Sainz’s Toro Rosso completing the top six.
The next round of the championship is in Mexico on October 30.
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