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How can Lewis Hamilton win world title at US Grand Prix? What must Sebastian Vettel do?
LEWIS HAMILTON starts today’s United States Grand Prix on pole position as he looks to claim his fifth Formula One world title.
Lewis Hamilton greets fans on way to Circuit of the Americas
And Express Sport is on hand to tell you exactly how he can claim the crown.
The Brit, 33, is a whopping 67 points clear of title rival Sebastien Vettel, 31, with only four races left in the season.
Mercedes star Hamilton goes in to today’s race in superb form, having won six of the last seven races.
And he can complete the job in Texas where he has won all of the last four Grands Prix.
US GRAND PRIX LIVE UPDATES: LEWIS HAMILTON GOES FOR FIFTH WORLD TITLE
How can Hamilton win the title?
If Hamilton wins in the States he is guaranteed to claim the crown if Ferrari’s Vettel finishes third or lower.
However, if he fails to win from pole he needs to finish eight points ahead of his German rival.
A second-place finish for Hamilton would leave him needing Vettel to place fifth or lower.
Finish in third and Vettel must be seventh or lower. Hamilton could still secure the title even if he finishes fourth but he would need Vettel to finish way back in eighth or below.
Toto Wolff’s Warning
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has warned Hamilton not to get complacent despite him being the overwhelming favourite.
If he fails to finish the race it could give Vettel a glimmer of hope going into the final three races.
“Freak incidents can happen everywhere," Wolff said. “A DNF (did not finish) and a consequent bad result suddenly wipes out a large chunk of your points.
“I know from a probability standpoint it doesn't look like it, but this is motor racing, it's a sport and anything can happen.”
F1 Drivers’ top 10 as it stands
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 331 points
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 264
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 207
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 196
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 173
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 146
Sergio Perez (Racing Point) 53
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 53
Fernando Alonso (McLaren) 50