British rookie Lewis Hamilton won the US Grand Prix on Sunday to
take his second victory in a row and forge 10 points clear of
McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso in the Formula One
championship.
Hamilton crossed the line 1.518 seconds ahead of the double
world champion for his seventh podium finish in seven extraordinary
starts. Brazilian Felipe Massa was third for Ferrari.
Hamilton's second pole to flag win capped a stunningly
successful North American swing for the 22-year-old Briton with
maximum points from the two races.
McLaren, with four wins so far this season, lead Ferrari in the
constructors' standings by 35 points.
"What a dream," an emotional Hamilton told reporters. "I never
thought in a million years I would be here today with these drivers
and win two races in North America.
"To come to Canada for the first time and now Indianapolis for
the first time and have the best two races of my life, it's an
amazing feeling.
"Coming into the season you have to be realistic, I never
expected anything but hoped to do well," he added. "I hoped maybe I
could get a podium at some point but I have been on the podium the
last seven races. It's insane."
COOL PERFORMANCE
Massa, followed home by team mate Kimi Raikkonen, put Ferrari
back on the podium after being shut out in Canada. The top four
finishers reflected their starting positions.
Sunday's race was only the second time in eight grands prix
staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2000 that Ferrari
had failed to win.
Hamilton delivered another stunningly cool performance in the
searing heat to lead McLaren to their third one-two finish of the
season.
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen was fifth for Renault ahead of
Italian Jarno Trulli in a Toyota.
Australian Mark Webber collected his first points of the season
with seventh place for Red Bull while 19-year-old German Sebastian
Vettel finished eighth for BMW Sauber and became Formula One's
youngest point scorer.
Hamilton led from pole and posted a succession of fastest laps
to open up a four second lead on Alonso. But after the first pit
stops the Spaniard began to fill the Briton's rear view
mirrors.
As the race reached the midway point the two McLarens were less
than a half-second apart and engaged in a thrilling duel, Alonso
darting out and trying to pass Hamilton down the long home stretch
on lap 38.
Hamilton refused to wilt under pressure from a team mate who had
sparked controversy earlier in the week by claiming his team mate
was receiving preferential treatment.
"I was side by side once here on the main straight but again, it
was not enough to overtake him," said Alonso. "Eight points are
better than nothing."
He conceded that Hamilton's brilliant debut had been an
eye-opener.
"It has been a surprise for me and a surprise for everybody to
see him (Hamilton) doing so well and leading the championship at
this point," said Alonso.
"But I have confidence. We only did seven races, 10 to go...the
championship will be decided at the end."
(China Daily via Reuters June 18, 2007)