By DPA
Indianapolis (US) : An emotional Lewis Hamilton thanked his family after winning his second Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old won the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis Sunday, beating teammate 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 km, totalling 306.016 km.
"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."
The third place went to Felipe Massa in Ferrari.
Hamilton won the start on the Indianapolis Speedway by blocking his teammate, 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 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 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.