Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 United States Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton's performance at the 2021 United States Grand Prix on October 24th at the Circuit of the Americas saw him convert a P2 grid start into a P2 finish, a result that added 19 points to his championship tally. The British driver, piloting for Mercedes AMG F1, completed all 56 laps of the race with a total time of 1:34:37.885. This event was a direct confrontation for the championship lead, with Hamilton engaging in a strategic battle against Max Verstappen, who ultimately secured the victory. Hamilton demonstrated strong pace throughout, notably setting the fastest lap of the race on Lap 41 with a time of 1:38.485, earning an additional point for his efforts, a critical detail in the tight 2021 season. The race underscored the intense rivalry that defined the year, with both drivers pushing their machinery to the limits on the challenging Austin circuit. For more on the season's official standings, consult the [FIA F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) records.

Despite starting alongside Verstappen, Hamilton found himself managing tire degradation and strategic calls from the pit wall, executing his two pit stops to maintain track position as best as possible. His teammate, Valtteri Bottas, started P9 and finished P6, contributing 8 points to the Mercedes constructor effort. The tactical nuances of the race, particularly the undercut attempts and tire management, were central to the outcome. Hamilton's drive at COTA stands as a testament to his consistent pressure, even when not on the top step. This race, like the subsequent [2022 Japanese Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton](/results/2022-suzuka-lewis-hamilton), highlighted the fine margins in Formula 1. For a broader understanding of the sport's history, the [Wikipedia page on Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One) offers extensive context. The raw data for this and other seasons can be explored via the [Jolpica/Ergast F1 data API](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), providing a detailed look at every race result, much like the data available for [Max Verstappen at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix](/results/2022-suzuka-max-verstappen) or [Charles Leclerc at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix](/results/2022-suzuka-charles-leclerc).