McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has triumphed in the maiden Formula 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, while Sebastian Vettel’s second place granted Red Bull the Constructors Cup.

Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished third to keep his title hopes alive, with 13 points now separating him from top-placed Vettel with one race to go.

Vettel initially held on to the lead after starting the race in pole position, while second placed Hamilton was passed by the other Red Bull of Mark Webber.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso also moved up three places after the first couple of corners, climbing to fourth spot.

Hamilton, who needed several laps to regain second spot, cut Vettel’s lead to 1.5 seconds, but struggled to find the right moment to attack. 

Britain's Lewis Hamilton of Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on November 18, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (AFP Photo / Timothy A. Clary)

On the 17th lap, Alonso moved to third place when Webber retired due to technical problems with his car.

The pit-stops didn’t lead to changes in the Top 3, but Hamilton turned up the heat, setting one fastest lap after another.

The McLaren driver passed Vettel to lead the race on the 42nd lap and quickly created a safe gap.

Russia’s Vitaly Petrov finished in 17th spot ahead of Caterham partner, Heikki Kovalainen, and the drivers of the other two new teams, Marussia and HRT.

Vettel’s second-place has made Red Bull unreachable in the standings on 440 points, with the Austrian team claiming their third straight Constructors Cup.  

Meanwhile, the fate of the Drivers’ Championships will be decided at the Brazilian circuit of Interlagos on November 25.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (L) and team principal Christian Horner. (Reuters / Lee Jae Won)

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