Kimi Raikkonen wins stunning USA Grand Prix
KIMI Raikkonen has claimed his first win since the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, sending Lewis Hamilton's champion charge into next week.
The Ferrari star overtook the Mercedes through Turn One after lights out and didn't look like stopping as he held off the rest of the pack in first at the iconic Circuit of the Americas.
Raikkonen's win, his first in 113 races, broke the longest win drought in the sport's history.
Iceman wins in Austin!#USGP #F1 #Raikkonen pic.twitter.com/phEeLclwJ8
— fuboTV (@fuboTV) October 21, 2018
Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel shot past Valtteri Bottas in the second last lap to claim fourth behind Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton was expected to claim the championship this weekend after snagging pole but will have to wait until the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of the month before having a chance to raise his fifth Formula 1 crown.
"Congratulations to Kimi, and great job from Max too. This was the best we could do today, and it was great that we got to do some racing," Hamilton said after the race.
Daniel Ricciardo spiralled out of Austin after his Red Bull suffered a complete power failure in the 11th lap.
The Aussie was looking good for a podium finish after a solid start, holding his own in fourth behind Valtteri Bottas. The mechanical DNF is the departing Red Bull star's fifth premature exit in 10 races and seventh for the season.
"Unbelievable," David Croft said as Ricciardo threw his hands up in anger. "It's like somebody switched off the lights."
Finishing order
1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/FER) 1hr 34min 19.000sec
2. Max Verstappen (NED/RBR) +1.281
3. Lewis Hamilton (ENG/MER) 2.342
4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/FER) 18.222
5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/MER) 24.744
6. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/REN) 1min 27.210
7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/REN) 1min 34.994
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/RAC) 1min 39.288
9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/HAA) 1min 40.657
10. Sergio Perez (MEX/RAC) 1min 41.080
11. Brendon Hartley (NZL/STR) 1 lap
12. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/SAU) 1 lap
13. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/MCL) 1 lap
14. Pierre Gasly (FRA/STR) 1 lap
15. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/WIL) 1 lap
16. Lance Stroll (CAN/WIL) 2 laps
Not classified: Charles Leclerc (MON/SAU) 25 laps Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/RBR) 48 laps Romain Grosjean (FRA/HAA) 54 laps Fernando Alonso (ESP/MCL) 55 laps
