In Pictures: U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas
Formula One racing returned to the United States last weekend after a five year hiatus at the $400-million Circuit of the Americas
Lewis Hamilton of Britain holds up his trophy next to second place driver Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany and third place driver Fernando Alonso of Spain during the podium ceremony after the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012. Hamilton won the U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday while championship leader Vettel failed to clinch his third consecutive drivers' title on his 100th career start.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
The second practice session of the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the $400-million Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 16, 2012.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Mercedes Michael Schumacher of Germany (R) and Red Bull’s Mark Webber of Australia drive past the Observation Tower during the third practice session of the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 17, 2012.MIKE STONE/Reuters
Formula One drivers practice on the track during the third practice session of the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 17, 2012.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads the field into the first turn at the start of the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Austin, Texas.Eric Gay/The Associated Press
Ferrari pit crew for Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso of Spain.POOL/Reuters
Pit crew perform a pit stop on the car of McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.POOL/Reuters
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany has his car worked on during a pit stop in the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.POOL/Reuters
Sebastian Vettel (R) of Germany leads the first turn in the first lap at the start of the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012. Also in the picture are Red Bull teammate Mark Webber (2) of Australia and McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (4) of Britain.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads team mate Mark Webber (in second) of Australia and McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (in third) of Britain, early in the race during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Lotus F1 Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen of Finland drives during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany at the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Supporters of Germany's Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel cheer prior to the start of the U.S. Grand Prix as they attend a public viewing session in Vettel's hometown of Heppenheim, southwestern Germany, November 18, 2012.KAI PFAFFENBACH/Reuters
Lotus F1 Formula One driver Romain Grosjean of France drives during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Michael Schumacher of Germany drives for Mercedes during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Ferrari F1 driver Felipe Massa of Brazil drives ahead of Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany and Sauber Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico during the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.MIKE STONE/Reuters
McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain sprays champagne at photographers after winning the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ADREES LATIF/Reuters
Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line ahead of Sebastian Vettel to win the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.MIKE STONE/Reuters
Lewis Hamilton of Britain is congratulated for his win by former Formula One world champion Mario Andretti (L) during the podium ceremony at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.Robert Galbraith/Reuters
McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain sprays champagne during the podium ceremony after winning the U.S. F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas November 18, 2012.ROBERT GALBRAITH/Reuters
Lewis Hamilton’s hat sits on the trophy after he won the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Austin, Texas.Eric Gay/The Associated Press