Hamilton still has it all to do despite victory in US

World champion has not given up on retaining his title

World champion Lewis Hamilton insists he cannot become “fixated” on the hope his title rival Nico Rosberg will run into trouble as Formula One’s longest season reaches its conclusion.

Despite his victory in the United States Grand Prix, the title battle remains out of Hamilton’s control.

With only three races remaining, and a possible 75 points on the table, Hamilton still trails Rosberg, who finished second on Sunday, by 26.

Rosberg could even seal the title this weekend if he wins in Mexico and Hamilton fails to score.

While Hamilton has encountered a number of mechanical troubles this season, his Mercedes team-mate has enjoyed a relatively trouble-free campaign.

“So far it has been 100% reliable on his side, but often in seasons there can be 100% reliability,” Hamilton said. “Will that be the case on Nico’s? “Only time will tell, but I can’t get fixated on that.

“I have got to focus on mine, and I am hoping I will have 100% reliability.”

Hamilton was back to his best in Austin, where he secured pole position before leading virtually every lap to claim his fifth win on American soil.

Despite the challenge facing him, Hamilton has not given up hope of winning the title.

“I still continue to keep a positive frame of mind – I’ve got to – and anything is possible,” he said.

“The moment you give up is when you lose.”

Such is the championship deficit, however, Rosberg can afford to finish second in two of the three remaining races, and third on one occasion, and clinch his maiden title.

And while the German insists he is not adapting his style to fit such a scenario, his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believed his conduct on the opening lap – where he refused to engage with Hamilton before conceding his position to Daniel Ricciardo – may suggest otherwise.

“You could probably see it in turn one,” said Wolff. “He’s in a difficult position. “He needs to look at each weekend at a time, how he does, but he needs to make sure he does not DNF (did not finish), which is the most important.

“Nico was very strong in Singapore but Lewis was very strong in Malaysia, Nico very strong in Suzuka and Lewis very strong in Austin.

“It keeps bouncing between the two, so I’m very curious as to how it’s going to go.”

Picture: AP. F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, above, is 26 points behind championship leader and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg with just three races remaining.