Lewis Hamilton Is the 2017 Formula 1 World Champion
With two races to go, this year’s championship is sealed.
Despite a first lap puncture, Lewis Hamilton succeeded in recovering to finish P9 at today's Mexican Grand Prix, attaining enough points to mathematically lock out Sebastian Vettel from title contention, to take the 2017 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship. His team, Mercedes, secured the Constructors' title last week in Austin, at the United States Grand Prix, which Hamilton also won. Some speculated he could win the title in Austin, but he dismissed that notion as "silly." Hamilton now joins the four-title club, which only he, Sebastian Vettel, and Alain Prost are a part of. Only Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher have more titles, with five and seven respectively.
Hamilton triumphs over contending Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who started the season stronger than Hamilton, winning three of the season's opening six races, in light of Mercedes' difficulties with setup and tire temperature management earlier in the year, but a combination of errors and reliability issues kneecapped his chances at the title this year. Vettel also lost many fans this season due to his behavior at the European Grand Prix in Baku, where he deliberately sideswiped Hamilton, soliciting one of the season's most severe penalties: a ten second stop-and-go.
Though the championship fight is over for the season, two Grands Prix remain: Brazil, and Abu Dhabi. Even with no title up for grabs, every driver will continue to perform for either personal reasons, or to escalate their team's finishing position in the constructors' championship, in the name of prize money.
And though this season is not over, everyone is already looking to the promising prospects for the 2018 season. Plenty of driver, team personnel, and engine supply changes point to next year being potentially more exciting than this one. To quote legendary motorsport commentator, Murray Walker, "anything can happen in Formula 1, and it usually does."
MORE TO READ
Related
IndyCar Champ Josef Newgarden Really Wants a Shot at F1
Is it time for another American driver in Formula 1?
Related
Renault to Drop Formula E Program in Favor of F1 Growth
Nissan will pick up where Renault leaves off after the 2017-2018 season.
Related
Formula 1 May Be Ditching Friday Practices in Favor of More Races
Owners, Liberty Media, are currently debating the move for the future.
Related
Lewis Hamilton Credits His F1 Success This Year to Going Vegan
Well, that and Nico Rosberg getting the hell off the team.
Related