Kimi Raikkonen finally wins a race, for the first time in almost six years, beating Lewis Hamilton to claim the US Grand Prix(USGP), delaying what would have been a championship afternoon for the Mercedes driver and championship leader.
The race was an exciting one, as Lewis Hamilton after taking pole on Saturday, could only manage third, as his closest rival who keeps slipping off Vettel finished fourth at the just concluded USGP.
After the race, Lewis Hamilton who was obviously not happy he did not get his historic 5th title, congratulated Kimi for a good race. He said:
“A big congratulations to Kimi, he did a great job with no mistakes. He had a great start and managed to go all the way.
“Max did a great job too, he was on a better tyre than us at the end, so naturally a bit of a struggle for us but it was the best we could do in the end. At least we could have a good race. But we’ll leave it until next weekend.
“I came out ahead in the pit, but the window was closed and it was way too far to come back from. I don’t know how our strategy ended up like that, and you only have a short time to do a fast lap on new tyres and I missed it.
“Ferrari picked up their pace this weekend, so I look forward to the next race.”
Max Verstappen who surprisingly came second ahead of Lewis after starting from 18th said:
“A bit unexpected, a good start, good first lap very quickly we were into P5 then we could follow the leaders.
“We made the right call to undercut Valtteri on the last three laps I ran out of tyres. I destroyed my shoe, pushing it hard but all good.
“We were really struggling with the rear tyres, it was a good fight. I was pushing as much as I could, but clearly Lewis was on the edge too.”
The winner of the USGP and first since over five years, Kimi Raikkonen who was gave it all in the race, said:
“Maybe they (the fans) are happier, it’s been a great weekend, the car has been good all the time.
“I got a good start and I ended to push hard and the tyres were not in their best shape towards the end. Max had the same problem and Lewis but we had enough speed and kept it consistent. I’m much happier here than finishing in second but I’m happy.
“It was obviously coming in at the right time and having enough tyres, so it was a balancing act but we did it well, well enough to win and good.”
The title race now continues for next week, as drivers head to Mexico, where Hamilton will be looking to get his Championship crown.
Mercedes Principal Toto Wolff, while commenting on a disappointing day, said:
“We lacked the pace today, I said don’t close it too early, Ferrari are very fast. Kimi winning is great for him and Ferrari so let’s go to the next race.”
“It was difficult to overtake but it was a worse strategy as it progressed, so we need to re-think and see what we could do better.”
“We put on a good show all together and that’s what is more important.”