Despite being beaten off the line by Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton once again displayed the composure and race craft that has all but secured his fourth Formula One world championship. There was no problem with the British driver’s start but Vettel had it hooked up exceptionally well and had the inside line going into turn one. Hamilton went to squeeze him but recognised he could not hold the place and avoided any potentially race-ending contact. The contrast with Vettel’s reaction to being jumped by Max Verstappen in Singapore could not be clearer. The crash that ensued is one of the moments that has cost Vettel his title challenge. Hamilton knew to play the long game, as he did when choosing not to defend aggressively against Verstappen in Malaysia. It paid off again. Vettel worked his tyres too much in the early stages and was powerless as Hamilton sailed past him on lap six. His Mercedes was on song in Austin but these are the moments that dictate how championships are won and so it proved. The title is all but in his hands.
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