Hamilton made a better start from second place and was alongside Rosberg as they entered the first corner.
Advertisement
Hamilton needed to beat his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg by two points and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari by nine to claim his championship with three races to spare.
Hamilton ignored the gesture, turned and walked to the victor’s podium to celebrate winning the United States Grand Prix to secure his third Formula One season title.
“I owe it all to my dad, to my family who supported me all these years and sacrificed so much for me to be here.” said an emotional and elated Lewis Hamilton. All the way I was thinking the championship is there somewhere-how can I get it?
Rosberg’s error helped make this one happen.
At first glance it appeared a fair move by Hamilton, but on further inspection the pair banged wheels with the Briton appearing to leave Rosberg little room for manoeuvre. Today, absolutely we fight for position in turn one but we went in so quick and I was on the inside, so we touched.
Lewis Hamilton’s third title now ties the Mercedes driver with his hero Ayrton Senna, while also equalling Sir Jackie Stewart’s record, joining the Scot as the only Brits to win three championships.
Suggested to Wolff that the situation had the potential to repeat what followed their Belgian clash 14 months ago, in which Rosberg collided with Hamilton, he replied: “Yes, if we don’t take any action”.
After feeling deeply emotional after the race, he told a news conference: “I’m so overwhelmed right now”.
Dutch teenager Max Verstappen finished fourth for Toro Rosso ahead of Sergio Perez of Force India, Carlos Sainz in the second Toro Rosso, Jenson Button of McLaren and Pastor Maldonado who was eighth for Lotus.
“Of course there are always those comments that come up but I would never intentionally do something like that to my team-mate”.
Advertisement
“There were so many times when I thought I had lost the race”. I was behind, struggling with the auto, but then came back with strength.
