F1's Hamilton celebrates and reflects as history beckons

Lewis Hamilton revelled in his Mercedes team’s celebrations after giving Formula One a break from its own crisis by moving within reach of his second drivers' world title in winning the US Grand Prix in consummate style.
Six years, to the day, after he won his first drivers' world championship in dramatic fashion in Brazil, Hamilton claimed his 32nd career win on Sunday with a maturity and calculation of a true champion.
The 29-year-old Briton started second to Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Nico Rosberg after admitting that the German had had the better pace in qualifying.
But after he claimed the lead with a bold move under braking on lap 24, it was all down to his own ability to control the race and the tyre wear as he drove to his fifth straight win and 10th of the season.
"I was really doing my homework, trying to understand the opportunities, the different scenarios and how to approach it, and I just really had the belief that I could win it," Hamilton said.
"The race was just like 2012, as I was catching [Rosberg] at the same points as I was catching Sebastian [Vettel] There was never a point in the race where I didn't feel like I could get him.
"Once I was past him, I just tried to manage the tyres and it's such an incredible feeling to have a race like that.”
Hamilton’s win enabled him to pass Nigel Mansell and become the most successful British driver in F1 history – and he was quick to praise the inspirational support and energy of the fans at a race preceded by infighting and controversy with only 18 cars on the grid.
"It's a very good circuit to be able to follow on, but overtaking is not easy so I just tried to stay as close as possible and get as close as possible with the aero," he added, when describing how he set up and passed Rosberg.
"I was quite a bit back, but I was very confident into turn twelve. I was just close enough to throw it up the inside - you have to decide how much of a risk to take, but Nico wasn't really defending there, so I almost caught him unawares.”
It was Hamilton’s fifth straight win and 10th of the season, six more than team-mate Rosberg on four – but it could all go against him in the final race in Abu Dhabi where double points are on offer.
Hamilton, however, does have the luxury of knowing that after increasing his lead to 24 points he can finish second in both Brazil and Abu Dhabi to clinch the title.
"It's been an incredible run, but the whole season has been incredible really," he conceded.
"Nico was very quick in qualifying, but you never know how the race is going to go and I pushed as hard as I could.
"I seemed to be quicker in the second stint and, once I was past Nico, it was really about controlling the race. Today, I had the determination and hunger to get that win and I'm really proud that I could do that."
Hamilton added: "I am really enjoying this moment and it feels great. I wanted it so bad and I got it here this weekend and it is fantastic and a great feeling when I crossed the line.
"I have worked so hard this season to turn it around and I dug deep for this and now I am going to go out and attack in the next two races and go for the 25 points.
"It’s a strange one, the decision to  put 50 points on the last one, but Ive done all I can through different and difficult circumstances to win it this season and I want to feel confident that things will go well. I feel prepared for whatever lies ahead and I am so proud of the team."
Source: AFP