Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, on Sunday won the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, moving up seven points on the world Formula One leader, his German teammate Nico Rosberg, who came in second and was followed by Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia.

Starting from the coveted pole position, it was Hamilton’s 50th career victory, his seventh win of the current season and his third consecutive triumph on the Texas circuit. Moreover, it was his fourth Grand Prix victory in the past five years, EFE news reported.

With the 25 points he secured on Sunday, the Briton now has 305 points, to Rosberg’s 331, with just three races to go.

German Sebastian Vettel, driving for Ferraro, came in fourth, followed by Spain’s Fernando Alonso, with McLaren-Honda.

Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz, also from Spain, was sixth and Brazil’s Felipe Massa, with Williams, was seventh.

Rounding out the drivers who garnered points for the race were Mexico’s Sergio Perez, with Force India, Briton Jenson Button with McLaren-Honda and French driver Romain Grosjean, with Haas.

Given that Rosberg is 26 points ahead of Hamilton, in actual fact he does not need to win any of the next three races — beginning next week in Mexico City — to grab his first F1 championship. Hamilton could win all three, and Rosberg only needs two seconds and a third place finish to eke out the victory.

IANS