2026 United States Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton Clinches Victory on a Thrilling Saturday

On a blistering Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas, Lewis Hamilton secured a dramatic victory in the 2026 United States Grand Prix, with his teammate George Russell finishing second to give Mercedes a clean 1‑2 finish. The race, held on 14 October, saw the Red Bull drivers struggling to keep pace after a series of early incidents, while the Mercedes team capitalised on a flawless pit‑stop strategy and Hamilton’s relentless pace to dominate the event.

Hamilton’s triumph came after a tense battle in the closing laps. After a safety‑car period triggered by a collision between Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, the field was bunched up. Hamilton, who had started from pole, used his superior tyre management to keep the gap to Russell at bay, while the Red Bulls were forced to push hard on worn rubber. In the final sprint, Hamilton pulled away in the last two corners, crossing the line 1.2 seconds ahead of Russell. The win marks Hamilton’s 100th Formula 1 victory, a milestone that has been celebrated by fans worldwide.

Mercedes’ double podium was the result of a well‑executed pit‑stop strategy. While the Red Bull team opted for a two‑stop plan, Mercedes’ three‑stop approach allowed both drivers to maintain higher average lap times. The team’s pit crew executed flawless stops, with each driver spending just 2.1 seconds in the pit lane. The strategic decision proved decisive, as it kept Hamilton and Russell ahead of the Red Bull drivers for the majority of the race.

For Indian fans, the race is available to stream live on FanCode from 6:30 PM IST on Saturday. The event also featured a special pre‑race ceremony honoring the legacy of Indian racing legend Narain Karthikeyan, who was invited to the paddock for a moment of silence. Fans can catch the full race replay on the F1 YouTube channel after the live broadcast.

Source: McLaren, Formula 1, Sky Sports F1