'Overwhelming': Hamilton seals sixth Formula One world title at US Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton secured his sixth Formula One world championship on Sunday (Monday AEDT) in a US Grand Prix won by Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.

The 34-year-old Briton finished second at the Circuit of the Americas to become only the second driver after retired Ferrari great and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher to win six titles.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third place in the race while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth and took an extra point for fastest lap.

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo was sixth in his Renault.

Hamilton sealed the title with two races to spare and already has plenty of records as he chases Schumacher's overall mark, including 87 pole positions and 33 successive scoring finishes, and his 83 wins put him on course to surpass the German's record tally of 91 next year.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said he can see the 34-year-old Briton going on to shatter the German's milestones.

A sellout crowd, that included both of Hamilton's parents, arrived early at a sun-kissed circuit outside Austin expecting to see a coronation and were not disappointed as the Briton battled Bottas to the death.

Lewis Hamilton in action during the US Grand Prix.Credit: Getty

Much of the drama in the championship chase had already been removed with Hamilton in position to clinch the title without even scoring a point.

But he showed why he is one of most competitive and greatest racers of all-time as he tried to crown his championship with a seventh US Grand Prix victory.

He fell just short of crossing the finishing line first but nothing could stop Hamilton from sealing another driver's title.

"It's just overwhelming if I'm really honest. It was such a tough race today," Hamilton told reporters.

"Valtteri did a fantastic job so huge congratulations to him.

"Today I just really wanted to deliver the one-two for the team. I didn't think the one-stop (strategy) was going to be possible but I worked as hard as I could."

The math was as simple as it was daunting for Bottas, Hamilton would secure the title by finishing eighth or better but would not need any points on Sunday to retain the championship if the Finn did not win.

Any thoughts that Hamilton might approach the race with some caution were quickly removed as he went on the attack right from the start, shooting from fifth to third before the first lap was completed.

Teammate and race winner Valtteri Bottas (right) on the podium with Lewis Hamilton.Credit: Getty

Bottas got away from pole position cleanly with Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Hamilton in hot pursuit.

With Hamilton on a one-stop strategy and Bottas and Verstappen on two, the Briton took over the lead after his two challengers made their second pit-stops.

Victory now depended on whichever driver could make their tyres last.

With four laps to go and Hamilton grimly hanging on, there was nothing he could do to stop Bottas sweeping past him to take the win.

"My dad told me when I was six or seven years old never to give up and that's kind of the family motto," said Hamilton.

"I was pushing as hard as I could, I was hopeful that I might be able to win today but didn't have it in the tyres unfortunately."

David Coulthard, championship runner-up to Schumacher in 2001 and replacement for Ayrton Senna at Williams in 1994 after the great Brazilian's fatal crash, said catching or passing Schumacher would not define Hamilton's career.

"Can he win seven (titles) or surpass Michael? Yes, is the answer, of course he can," the Scot said. "But I don’t think he has to, or needs to.

"I think he’s already cemented his place in absolute top-notch history in Formula One and the thing I think that really sets him apart from the greatness of Senna or Schumacher is his sporting ethics.

"I think that Lewis is an absolute through-and-through sportsman."

What's been said after Lewis Hamilton's sixth F1 world title:

• "Big congrats to him. I personally failed on my target this year but there is always next year. He deserves it. He had a strong season." - VALTTERI BOTTAS, race winner and teammate.
• "I think he's still very motivated and you can see that he wants to win every single race. As long as that is the case, I think he can go for more. We need to provide him with a good car and then I think there is no limit, personally." - TOTO WOLFF, Mercedes F1 team principal
• "Get in there, Lewis. What a drive mate, that is it. Champion of the world. Did it in style, mate, you did that in style." - PETER 'BONO' BONNINGTON, Mercedes race engineer, over the radio.
• "It's very impressive, what else to say? He's just doing phenomenally, has a great team behind him and I hope we can take the fight to them next year." - Red Bull's MAX VERSTAPPEN, third on Sunday.
• "Karting together who would have thought that we'd both be #F1 world champion one day. And you? You’ve achieved it for the sixth time – on your way to becoming the GOAT. Impressive! My greatest respect – enjoy these moments and celebrate. Well deserved." - NICO ROSBERG, retired 2016 champion and former teammate on Twitter.
• "That achievement is nothing short of outstanding. To have achieved six world championships is a phenomenal effort... An incredible score rate. I hope we can challenge him more before he achieves his seventh." - CHRISTIAN HORNER, Red Bull team boss
• "Unbelievable win. Six world championships. Who would ever have dreamed of it... it means the world to him." - Father ANTHONY HAMILTON

Reuters