Hamilton snatched victory when Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg ran wide on lap 49 to open the door to his third title.
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“I am sitting here thinking about my first British championship when my dad and I drove home singing “We are the Champions” and it is just insane to think now I am a three-time Formula One world champion”.
The National’s Sport cover for the Monday, October 25 issue, featuring Lewis Hamilton as he won the US Grand Prix and his second successive Formula One world championship.
Paying homage to the hardcore F1 fans who had braved the downpours of rain throughout the weekend Hamilton said their support was crucial on his way towards securing his third title. With twenty laps to go, the race had developed into a three-way contest between Rosberg, Hamilton and Vettel in that order.
Four-time champion Vettel, who had to overcome a 10-place grid penalty and starting from the seventh row, finished quicker than anyone, serving notice of Ferrari’s likely challenge to Mercedes next year. But if you believe that the rest of the season is going to be boring, now that Hamilton is already champion, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes otherwise.
Hamilton’s first world title in 2008 came down to the final turn in the final race of the season. “In the end, it wasn’t to be, but that doesn’t detract from what has been a fantastic day for me and I’m now looking to carry that momentum forward to Mexico, where we race in just a week’s time”, Rossi said.
“I was fourth, the track was drying, it was the trickiest conditions for us and these guys drive fantastically well”.
“The motivation part is really easy, it’s kind of like I was born with it so it never goes away”.
Rosberg seemed to be taking out a season of frustration at often coming second to Hamilton in one petulant throw of a cap which, unfortunately for him, was caught on camera! “I’m just overwhelmed at the moment”, the Briton told reporters after equalling the number of titles won by the late Brazilian.
“It was extremely aggressive”, Rosberg said. “Or should I say Lewis came into me, which is not good”.
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According to Formula1.com, Rosberg said in the post-race press conference: “I was ahead mid-corner, and I have a right to the track there”.
