AUSTIN, Texas -- Lewis Hamilton thinks he gave Max Verstappen "too much space" in their late fight for second position at the U.S. Grand Prix because of his position in the championship.
Hamilton missed out on an opportunity to wrap up his fifth word title in Austin, finishing third, one place ahead of main rival Sebastian Vettel. He closed on second-placed Verstappen in the final laps but the Red Bull driver refused to yield, holding firm in a close wheel-to-wheel battle which ended when Hamilton ran wide over the run-off area at the final sector.
It meant Hamilton settled for the final spot on the podium, knowing that he only has to finish seventh or higher in Mexico to wrap up the championship next week.