2017 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX LIVE
It’s time for the 2017 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix LIVE with what could be the World Championship decider. Here you’ll be able to see all the updates LIVE – as they happen.
See some photos below from the track parade which took place a little while ago.
Pit Lane is NOW OPEN
Drivers are now making their way onto the circuit ahead of the United States Grand Prix – the weather is lovely for the race. With sunshine and warmer temperatures however there were rumours of rain towards the end of the race.
It’s time for the formation lap – drivers are now getting ready.
FORMATION LAP
Usain Bolt waves the green flag for the formation lap – it’s an entertaining circuit to be at with many celebrities making appearances and dropping by during the race weekend.
Drivers are now making their way round the track for the formation lap ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
Lap 1
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel make their way round the first corner – touching slightly with Vettel taking the lead.
There’s little battles ongoing – Bottas and Ricciardo come together with Ricciardo going off-track and rejoining, he’s now right behind Bottas.
Lap 2
It’s Vettel, Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Raikkonen who are the top 5 at the moment.
Lap 3
Hamilton – “Car feels good”
Team to Hamilton – “Ok copy”
Lap 4
Kimi Raikkonen has now joined the battle of Bottas and Ricciardo – he’s right behind the two drivers.
Vettel leading the race.
Lap 7
Hamilton and Vettel are battling – Hamilton makes his way past Sebastian Vettel and is now back in the lead of the race.
Lap 11
Stroll comes into the pits for a tyre-change.
Vettel – “I have a problem with the front left”
Team to Vettel – “Understood”
Lap 12
Raikkonen is right behind Ricciardo – he’s so close to overtaking however Ricciardo just manages to remain in the lead.
Ricciardo now comes into the pits and opens the way for Raikkonen.
Lap 16
After coming into the pits – Ricciardo goes off-track and is out of the race. He has an issue and is out of the United States Grand Prix.
Yellow flags are being waved – he’s off-track and at the moment, there’s no need for the safety car.
Lap 17
Sebastian Vettel now comes into the pits – he’s on the yellow tyres. Hamilton and Bottas are now the top 2 drivers – neither of them have come into the pits.
Hamilton – “Tyres are good.”
Lap 19
Bottas now comes into the pits – Hamilton still out on track. Raikkonen now moves into P2 with Verstappen in P3 and Vettel in P4.
Alonso – “Are we still in strategy B?”
Team to Alonso – “We are still in strategy B”
The Mercedes team are now getting ready for Hamilton who also pits – he comes out right in front of Vettel who has seriously closed the gap.
Raikkonen now leads the race with Verstappen in P2.
Lap 20
Vettel sets the fastest lap time. Hamilton right in front of him in P3.
Lets see how this goes.
Lap 21
Raikkonen now comes into the pits and Verstappen leads the race.
Hamilton – “Why did you let me come out so close guys?” (In relation to Vettel)
Vettel – “Too far guys, sorry” (In not being able to pass Hamilton)
The battle is on between the two.
It’s Verstappen, Hamilton and Vettel who are now the front 3 drivers.
Lap 23
Hamilton now manages to make his way past Verstappen – he held his place but didn’t manage to hold position and Hamilton now leads the race.
Lap 25
Verstappen now comes into the pits – with a slight issue on the tyre change however he’s now making his way back out onto track.
Alonso – “I think I have an engine issue.”
Team to Alonso – “Back off please, back off”
Alonso – “I can’t believe it”
Fernando Alonso is now out of the race.
Lap 33
There’s a battle between Sainz and Perez – going round the corners and Sainz manages to make his way past on his debut with Renault.
Lap 35
Vettel – “Can we think about Plan B?”
Team to Vettel – “Understood, we are thinking about Plan B”
Lap 36
The team are now talking to Vettel and telling him to push – also telling him about Raikkonen who’s battling P4 against Bottas too.
Lap 38
Hamilton – “Tell me what you need me to do – tyres are in good shape.”
Lewis Hamilton is leading the race with Bottas right behind as teams start to opt for different strategies.
Lap 41
Kimi Raikkonen is right behind Bottas – he’s putting the pressure on the Mercedes driver but it’s not quite enough at the moment.
Lap 42
Raikkonen now manages to make his way past Bottas and is up into P2.
Team to Raikkonen – “Nice work, nice work – keep up the good work.”
Lap 44
The team are talking to Lewis Hamilton and letting him know about the times of Ferrari.
Hamilton – “Why are they getting so close?”
Lap 47
Ferrari are now talking to Raikkonen and telling him about different strategies – Vettel has now started to put the pressure on Bottas and is closing the gap to him.
Lap 50
Vettel has closed the gap to Bottas – he’s right behind the Mercedes driver but will it be an easy overtake?
Wow – Vettel makes his way past Bottas as Bottas overtook Vandoorne with a fantastic move and there was no way anyone could close that gap. A brilliant overtake – Vettel now making his way.
Lap 51
Vettel seems to be taking advantage of Plan B which was a strategy change for Ferrari.
Verstappen now putting the pressure on Bottas.
Lap 52
Verstappen now makes his way past Bottas too – there’s 4 laps remaining for the United States Grand Prix.
Lap 53
Bottas now comes into the pits.
Vettel has made his way up into P2 – with a switch between the two Ferrari drivers. Raikkonen has driven a great race, looking really strong throughout the Grand Prix.
As I’ve said before, I personally don’t agree with team orders. If a driver wants to get by then they should race each other regardless if it’s for the championship or not.
That’s what we all want to see – drivers battling each other.
Lap 56
Final Lap – Verstappen has now closed the gap to Raikkonen too.
Team to Versteppen – “Last chance Max”
Lewis Hamilton WINS the United States Grand Prix.
Podium Interview
Lewis Hamilton – “The crowd here has been growing every year – I love the atmosphere here and a big congratulations to the team. I feel great and I’m honoured that you’re here (Bolt) – it’s a humbling experience and I know that many people would want to be in my position driving a Formula.1 car – I want to thank my family who are here, my brother and mum too.”
Vettel – “We quickly realised that we couldn’t go to his pace today (Hamilton) and then after the second overtake it wasn’t the result that we wanted. I mean, there was no other secret other than they were quicker than us.”
Raikkonen – “It was a good race but I needed to change my pace at the end of the race”
Photos from the United States Grand Prix
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Images – Kym Illman