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F1 star Lewis Hamilton is aware he has his work cut out to beat rival Max Verstappen to the 2021 title after the Red Bull racer won in Austin. The Dutchman took the chequered flag at the United States Grand Prix to marginally extend his championship lead with only five races left to go.
The race in Texas was said to be one that favoured the Mercedes heading into the weekend, with five out of the eight Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas won by Hamilton and one more by team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Despite that, it was Verstappen who took pole position in qualifying, starting with a narrow advantage over his title rival.
That advantage had been surrendered by the first corner, as Hamilton made a lightning quick start to get ahead of the Red Bull and take control of the race.
But a tactical gamble paid off as Red Bull called their star driver into the pits early, which resulted in him being ahead of the Mercedes ace by the time he had stopped for fresh rubber several laps later.
As the race entered its final stages, Hamilton was closing in on the race leader with newer tyres and a desire to win his eighth world title fuelling his charge.
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“We are going to the next two tracks which are very strong circuits for Red Bull so it is going to be tough,” he said after the conclusion of the USGP.
“We will just try and minimise how strong they can be compared to us, and see if we can do a better job.
“I am trying not to think about it at the moment, but be happy with the job I did today. I am living in the moment and will take it one race at a time.”
The Briton added he was thrilled with how he started the race – he said it was his best start “for a long time” – but admitted Verstappen had been “just too quick”.
The Dutchman’s performance was hailed by team principal Christian Horner, who will be delighted that Red Bull have closed the gap on Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
“You know Lewis is so strong, and he went longer on the tyres to give himself an advantage at the end,” he said.
“To lose here would’ve been really painful, but Max held on and did a great job.”
The teams head to Mexico City next to do battle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday, November 7.
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