Hamilton in U.S. with F1 title in sight

AUSTIN, Texas — Lewis Hamilton usually feels at ease in the U.S. And why not? It’s pretty easy to be happy when he’s usually finishing first.

Yet, despite his commanding lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the chase for the Formula 1 championship, the Mercedes driver barely cracked a smile Thursday as he dismissed scenarios that he could clinch the title with a win and another Vettel collapse. Hamilton also fended off speculation that he might take a knee when the American national anthem is played before Sunday’s race.

Hamilton, the only black driver in Formula One, said he supports the demonstration that began as a protest over treatment of minorities by police that has roiled the National Football League and drawn heavy criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.

But when asked if he would kneel on Sunday, the British driver said: “I don’t have any plans” and that he was concentrating on the race.

“I know black and white people that live here in America, so I get quite a view of what’s happening here in the States,” Hamilton said, calling the protest movement “awesome.”

“I’m very much in support of it. But I’m here to win and that’s the top of my priorities at the moment and I’m not really focused on anything else.”

Hamilton dismissed the notion of winning the championship in Texas as “silly.” He would clinch his fourth F1 season title Sunday if he finishes 16 points ahead of Vettel. For example, if Hamilton again wins a race that he’s won four of the last five years, Vettel would have to finish sixth or lower to give the title to Hamilton. Outside of the two races he didn’t finish, Vettel has finished lower than fourth just once.

“Sebastian, you cannot expect him to have a difficult weekend, they are going to be quick,” Hamilton said. “He has been strong all year. He has had a few technical issues, but the car is as good as it has always been.”

Yet the Circuit of the Americas would seem Vettel’s last realistic chance to keep the title chase alive. He’s had some success here, winning in 2013 as part of a dominant season with Red Bull when he won nine consecutive races. He finished second in 2012 when he lost a duel with Hamilton’s McLaren.

Hamilton has made the Austin race something of a personal playground. He cruised to wins in 2014 and 2016 and his rainsoaked victory in 2015 clinched the season championship with three races left on the schedule. Hamilton won from the pole last year and from P2 in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

The Briton’s American success dates back to 2007 when he won the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis.

And he’s gotten stronger through the second half of this season. Hamilton has four victories and one second-place finish over the last five races.