US GP: How Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes can win F1 titles in Austin
Written by News on 17/10/2017
F1’s two world championship titles could be settled as early as this weekend’s United States GP in Austin – and here’s how.
Following his win in Japan, Lewis Hamilton has his first chance of clinching his fourth drivers’ championship ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas, while Mercedes are strong favourites to wrap up their fourth constructors’ crown in succession.
Here’s the maths for both those two historic events can happen…
How Lewis Hamilton can win the Drivers’ Championship
Hamilton needs to outscore Vettel by 16 points AND Bottas by three points in Austin to take the 2017 title with three races to spare.
That means:
- If Hamilton wins, he is world champion if Vettel finishes sixth or lower
- If Hamilton finishes second, he is world champion if Vettel finishes ninth or lower and Bottas fails to win
- If Hamilton finishes third, the title race goes on to Mexico
How Mercedes can win the Constructors’ Championship
Holding a 145-point lead over Ferrari, Mercedes will win the Constructors’ Championship for the fourth year in succession if they finish the Austin weekend holding a lead of at least 129 points.
That means Ferrari must outscore Mercedes by at least 17 points to keep in mathematical contention until Mexico.
- Mercedes are certain to clinch the Constructors’ Championship if they win the race
Will Lewis Hamilton clinch his fourth world championship in Austin? Watch the US GP weekend live on Sky Sports F1, the race begins at 8pm on Sunday October 22. Want to watch but not got Sky F1? Buy a NOW TV pass from £6.99!
(c) Sky News 2017: US GP: How Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes can win F1 titles in Austin
