“I’m sure you saw my belief out there”, said Rosberg.
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However, wheelspin coming into turn 17 with eight laps remaining, which sent him wide across the run-off would open the door for Hamilton to come through, snatching a tenth win of a season that in turn meant he would celebrate becoming world champion for a third time.
“I have just struck a real nice balance”. Considering that 18 points are awarded for second place, while a generous 15 are awarded for third, it’s plain to see how a driver could regularly take the final podium position while keeping himself in the hunt. I guess that, when you come in after the race and are disappointed, the emotions are sometimes unbearable.
In the glow of his victory in Austin, Hamilton cheekily added: “It’s the worst thing being my team-mate”. It’s never happened to me, ever. I can’t explain it. It’s unbelievable.
“So the hat came past me and I was like, “No problem”.
A year ago the balance was 11 to Hamilton and five to Rosberg.
“Mercedes posted a picture on their Twitter account of the German belting out Bon Jovi’s “Livin” on a Prayer” on stage, with the comment “Sing it out Boy, you’ve got to see what tomorrow brings”.
Collecting 10 commanding race wins this year with a few of the best at Spa-Francorchamps, Bahrain, Monza, Japan; where he equaled the record of maximum race wins with his racing idol, Senna, Russsia; where his Czarist dominance took the better of his adversaries and the latest feather in his cap that earned him the Championship crown for the 3rd time under Austin’s rain-soaked track, Hamilton is Formula One’s iron fisted leader on the race track. Then, the party starts.
“Up until previous year, I didn’t really drink a lot”, said the Briton, who toasted his championship triumph in Abu Dhabi by drinking watermelon juice. Last year his teammate had a consistent edge in qualifying, this year however the roles were completely reversed. “For all my family, I love you all”.
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On a regular Grand Prix weekend, teams can hone their pre-planned strategies and seek the ultimate set up for qualifying and the race, resulting in regimented races that run in predictable order.
