Emotional Hamilton thanks family after winning second Grand Prix

By Volker Gundrum Jun 18, 2007, 0:50 GMT

British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (R) of McLaren Mercedes celebrate wit his father Anthony Hamilton (L) in team hospitality area after he won the US Grand Prix at the Indianapolis race track, 17 June 2007 in Indianapolis, USA. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Indianapolis, Indiana - An emotional Lewis Hamilton thanked his family on Sunday after winning his second Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old won the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis, beating team-mate Fernando Alonso into second place.

The victory came just seven days after he won his first race in Canada. Hamilton needed a time of one hour 31 minutes 9.965 seconds for the 73 laps of 4.193 kilometres, totalling 306.016 kilometres.

'I am very emotional and I just want to thank my family for all the support that they have given me. I also wish to thank the team who again did a perfect job and I am grateful that I then managed to put the icing on the cake.

'It is also terrific to see all the British flags in the crowd. I get a lot of energy from that.'

'It is like a dream come true. I came into two circuits that I did not know and I won twice. It is just fantastic.'

Third place went to Felipe Massa in a Ferrari.

Hamilton won the start on the Indianapolis Speedway by blocking his team-mate, but there was a small crash towards the back at the first corner when Ralf Schumacher's Toyota pushed David Coulthard's Red Bull into the Toyota of Rubens Barrichello.

All three cars had to retire, prompting a yellow flag phase, during which drivers are not allowed to overtake.

Alonso said that start was the keypoint of the race. 'I think my start was good. We both braked at the same point and you of course try to overtake, but you don't want to finish your race in first corner.

'Eight points is better than nothing and we will start again in the French Grand Prix.'

The two McLaren's were then involved in a furious battle as the Spaniard kept on Hamilton's tail, eager to overtake.

The champion started an overtaking manoeuvre on the 39th lap, but once again Hamilton blocked him by pulling to the side, prompting Alonso to seemingly complain to the McLaren box on the next lap by pulling alongside and waving his fist.

Hamilton paid a tribute to Alonso after the race. 'He fought very well and very professional.'

Behind the two McLaren's, the two Ferrari's of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, who had started from third and fourth on the grid respectively, were involved in their own private battle, which the Brazilian managed to win in the end.

Heikki Kovalainen in a Renault was fifth from Jarno Trulli in a Toyota and the Red Bull of Mark Webber.

The final point in the championship standings went to eighth- placed Sebastian Vettel in a BMW-Sauber, who was driving in his first race in place of Robert Kubica.

The Pole had been told on Thursday by FIA medical officers that he would not be allowed to compete after being involved in a horrific accident during the Canadian Grand Prix.

Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato, who was under investigation by the race stewards for overtaking in the yellow flag phase, crashed out two laps later and was given a ten-place penalty for the next race and as a result he will have to start the French Grand Prix on July 1 ten places behind his actual position.

German driver Nico Rosberg, who was in fifth place, had to withdraw four laps from the end, as his Williams' engine caught fire.

The victory sees Hamilton extend his lead in the drivers' standing to ten points. He has 58 points, while Alonso has 48. Massa remains third on 39, with Raikkonen fourth on 32.

The young Briton also established a new record by becoming the first driver to score points in all of his first seven races.

Only two other drivers have scored points in their first six Grand Prix Britain's triple champion Jackie Stewart, who scored points in his first six in 1965, and American Richie Ginther, who also scored in his first six spread over 1960 and 1961.

Hamilton has even managed to gain a podium place in all of his seven races.

McLaren has a convincing lead in the constructors' standings with 106 points to Ferrari's 71.