Fastest on two feet v fastest on four wheels

Mark Scott

Lewis Hamilton proved that he’s the man at the Circuit of the Americas as he claimed a fifth win at the Austin track on Sunday but perhaps the most exciting part was his pre-race lap.

Hamilton was in his usual relaxed mood ahead of the race, finding time to take Usain Bolt, the official starter of the United States Grand Prix, out for a spin…

It was an incredible lap…

And the V.V.I.Ps were making their way through the paddock.

Brendon Hartley’s moment in the spotlight as the 27-year-old New Zealander was welcomed by the fans ahead of his grand prix debut with Toro Rosso.

Driver intros with a difference…

Stoffel Vandoorne makes his way to the grid where he lined up at the very back as a result of a 30-place engine penalty.

Sebastian Vettel made an incredible start and pulled ahead of Hamilton through the first corner.

Hamilton, though, came back at him on lap seven to lead at the Circuit of the Americas.

Daniel Ricciardo was forced to retire with the Aussie parking his RB13 after reporting that the engine was “gone”.

Vettel pitted on lap 16, swapping his ultrasofts for a set of soft tyres.

More troubles for McLaren as Fernando Alonso, running inside the top ten, parked his MCL32 with an engine issue.

Hamilton pitted a few laps after Vettel and came out just ahead of the German, who despite being on warmer tyres wasn’t able to attack. And that was the race done – or would have been had Vettel not pitted a second time.

Hamilton raced to the victory ahead of Vettel, who was able to recover after his second stop, and Verstappen. The Red Bull racer was handed a five-second penalty and lost his podium.

Carlos Sainz on his Renault debut was inside the points in seventh place.