F1 US Grand Prix 2012: Hamilton Beats Vettel, Alonso Third

Sebastian Vettel's wait for his third consecutive Formula One World Championship continues as Lewis Hamilton gate-crashed the German's title party with a spectacular performance to win a pulsating United States Grand Prix.

Vettel finished second at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, while his title rival Fernando Alonso came in third. The result means that the Drivers' Championship will not be decided until the final race of the season, the Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo next week. Vettel currently leads Alonso by 13 points.

However, Red Bull clinched the Constructors' title for the third successive year thanks to Vettel's second-placed finish. The defending champion's Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber was forced to retire from the race on lap 17, due to a mechanical issue.

Hamilton crosses the finish line ahead of Vettel — Reuters

However, the race belonged to Hamilton. The Brit, who started on the grid alongside Vettel, took full advantage of his superior outright speed to overtake Vettel on lap 42 and held the lead to claim the 21st victory of his F1 career. The 27-year-old, who leaves McLaren to join Mercedes next season, thus delivered another victory for Team McLaren before his departure.

Alonso's Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa finished fourth and McLaren's Jenson Button crossed the line in fifth position. Lotus duo Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean finished sixth and seventh, while Force India's Niko Hulkenberg and Williams pair Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna completed the top 10.

United States Grand Prix results:

1. Lewis Hamilton - McLaren

2. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull

3. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari

4. Felipe Massa - Ferrari

5. Jenson Button - McLaren

6. Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus

7. Romain Grosjean - Lotus

8. Niko Hulkenberg - Force India

9. Pastor Maldonado - Williams

10. Bruno Senna - Williams

11. Sergio Perez - Sauber