Vettel is already thinking about next season

Vettel is already thinking about next season

AUSTIN. Hamilton was the third laughter at the exciting Texas Formula 1 show

Kimi can do it: for "Iceman" Rikknen, this gesture is an explosion of emotion. Image: APA / AFP / GETTY IMAGES / CHARLES COATES

Somewhat surprisingly, Ferrari took the lead in the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. However, the "bad" car was number one: not the star, Sebastian Vettel, but Kimi Rikknen, who had been put on the siding, could celebrate at the end of an exciting race. World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) was next to the Finnish and Red Bull, Max Verstappen, third happily at the awards ceremony. As Vettel was only fourth, the title of The Englishman is as good as corrective.

Before the last three races, Hamilton has 70 points ahead of the German Ferrari man. If he's still in the top 7, Vettel would not even help three wins. If the German does not win in Mexico in a week, Hamilton is still world champion. No wonder Vettel stands out from the world title and is already thinking about next season. "We were not consistent enough to get this title and we will come back stronger in 2019."

Sunday, the 31-year-old has even announced a possible victory in the starting phase with a rash action against Daniel Ricciardo. After a rotation, he had (again) to start a recovery. More than fourth place was not there. After the race, Vettel also took the self-criticism: "It's bitter, I'm disappointed to have dropped Ferrari today."

Hamilton weighed the risk

One may wonder if the attack with such risk potential was needed so early. Anders Hamilton touched on the subject. When he won the race two laps before the end with an attack against Verstappen and possibly also against Rikknen and thus clinched the title, the 33-year-old driver drank the risk during a short test – and his Is removed. "If it had been directly against" Seb ", I would have been more aggressive, but it was no longer necessary, the key was at least to complete Seb's." , "Hamilton explained why he did well, the first" Omit the matchball.

In addition to the screenings of the title, Rikknen enjoyed his surprise victory. The 39-year-old Finn had to wait 2044 days for this. The fact that he is forced to leave Ferrari at the end of the season and that he is "parked" in the Sauber team makes this success even better.

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