Role reversal: Hamilton chasing Rosberg at U.S. Grand Prix

AUSTIN, TEXAS >> Nico Rosberg sat slumped in his chair, exhausted and exasperated after another race and world title was taken away by Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. Then came the hat toss seen around the world.

These friends-turned rivals return to Texas and the U.S. Grand Prix in very different places this week. This time, it’s Rosberg with the big lead and Hamilton running out of time if he hopes to retain his Formula One championship.

Rosberg leads Hamilton by 33 points with four races left on the schedule. That means Hamilton has to make a big push starting Sunday on a track where he’s won three of the last four years.

“America has been good hunting ground for me,” Hamilton said.

A win streak alone won’t do it. Hamilton needs a bad race from Rosberg somewhere. If Rosberg finishes second three times and finishes third once, he’ll still claim his first career championship. A Rosberg victory anywhere along the way would all but clinch it.