{"id":6635,"date":"2018-10-21T22:22:48","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T02:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=6635"},"modified":"2018-10-21T22:22:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-22T02:22:48","slug":"us-gp-kimi-raikkonen-wins-as-ocon-and-magnussen-are-dsqed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/10\/21\/us-gp-kimi-raikkonen-wins-as-ocon-and-magnussen-are-dsqed\/","title":{"rendered":"US GP: Kimi Raikkonen Wins As Ocon and Magnussen are DSQed"},"content":{"rendered":"

What was setup to be a celebration for Lewis Hamilton<\/strong> became a long overdue victory for Ferrari\u2019s Kimi Raikkonen.<\/strong> After a two stop strategy, Hamilton found himself in a do-or-die situation, having to pass second place Max Verstappen<\/strong> to clinch the F1 world rivers’ championship (WDC<\/strong>).<\/strong> This did not come to fruition, as he went off track in the final sector as he tried to overtake, taking away any chance of challenging for the position once again. Raikkonen got his first race win since Australia in 2013, making it the longest time between wins in Formula 1<\/strong> history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Update: Racing Point Force India’s Esteban Ocon (P8 – 4 pts) <\/strong>was disqualified for a fuel flow infringement after the race. The team can appeal against the verdict. Haas F1 team’s Kevin Magnussen (P9 – 2 pts) <\/strong>was DSQed for carrying more than the 105 Kg fuel allowed. Haas f1 can also appeal the decision. As things stand, Sergio Perez <\/strong>will inherit eighth place, with Brendon Hartley <\/strong>and Marcus Ericsson <\/strong>promoted to ninth and tenth respectively<\/p>\n

Kimi Raikkonen Wins First GP Since 2013<\/h1>\n

Before The Race Began<\/h2>\n

Overnight there was a decision made by Toro Rosso<\/strong> to have both drivers sent to the back of the grid due to a new engine being put in the car. Sebastian Vettel<\/strong> also started in 5th place despite qualifying second due to a red flag infringement in a <\/span>Friday practice session<\/a><\/strong>. The track was 28 degrees celsius, which was 7 degrees hotter than it was on Saturday. Majority of the cars started with Supersofts<\/strong> and Ultrasofts<\/strong>, transitioning into Soft<\/strong> tyres late into the race.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Start<\/h2>\n

At turn one Raikkonen pulled ahead of Hamilton and took the lead. Red Bull\u2019s Daniel Ricciardo<\/strong> battled with Vettel, causing Vettel to spin out and lose places. There were two other incidents on the first lap, the first one involved Romain Grosjean<\/strong> and Charles Leclerc<\/strong>. The second one was between Lance Stroll<\/strong> and Fernando Alonso<\/strong>, which resulted in Stroll receiving a drive through penalty. Grosjean and Alonso retired from the race shortly after these incidents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noteworthy Race Moments<\/h2>\n

On lap 9, Daniel Ricciardo pulled over in sector 2 and came to a full stop. He retired from the race, with the removal of his car causing a Virtual Safety Car<\/strong>. Hamilton pitted under the VSC and switched to Softs. Due to this strategy Hamilton would have to do two stops as both Ferrari\u2019s visited the pits once each. Raikkonen went to the pits on lap 21 and returned to the track in 5th. Hamilton found his way back to the pits on lap 37, returning in 4th. He quickly gained a position, with teammate Valtteri Bottas<\/strong> letting him by.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Closing Laps<\/h2>\n

With Hamilton having to outscore Vettel by eight points to clinch the championship, he had to move up to second, passing Verstappen to achieve that gap. Verstappen\u2019s radio warned him of the eventual battle, saying \u201cThere is a whole world of pain ahead\u201d. Hamilton challenged for the spot on lap 54, coming close to overtaking numerous times. He went off track while trying to push on the outside of turn 17, letting Verstappen gain the lead. From here on everyone held their positions until the end except for Vettel who overtook Bottas for fourth on lap 55.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Look at that grin! \ud83d\ude0e\ud83d\ude00#USGP<\/a> \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 #F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EdkhKDMmli<\/a><\/p>\n

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 22, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n