LEWIS IS THE SIX MACHINE
Hamilton now a Schu-in for yet more title glory
LEWIS HAMILTON clinched his sixth world title and declared he was hungry for more glory.
The Englishman almost celebrated his third straight championship with victory in Austin.
But team-mate Valtteri Bottas overtook him with four laps to go to take the United States Grand Prix chequered flag.
Hamilton, who needed to finish just eighth to seal the crown, had to make do with second but is now just one title win behind German legend Michael Schumacher, having gone one ahead of Juan Fangio.
He said: “It’s an honour to be up here with those greats. I don’t know about championships but as an athlete I feel as fresh as I can be.”
Schumacher bowed out with seven world titles and was 35 when he won the last. Hamilton – the sport’s youngest champ when he first won in 2008 – is now 34.
His parents were there to watch the coronation, including father Anthony, the driving force behind his career, with their relationship patched-up after a turbulent period.
Hamilton said: “My dad told me when I was six or seven years old never to give up, that’s kind of the family motto. I was hoping to win today but didn’t have it in the tyres unfortunately.”
The Stevenage-born racer performed his trademark doughnuts on the Circuit of the Americas track in celebration of another remarkable achievement by a driver who won his first title 11 years ago.
“Still we rise,” Hamilton said immediately after his triumph. “It’s
just overwhelming.” Once again, Hamilton has been head and shoulders above his rivals this season, winning 10 times, six more than any other driver.
Yesterday, he was unable to add to his incredible tally of race wins that would have moved him to within seven of equalling Schumacher’s record of 91.
But if he repeats his exploits next season, when his £40million-a-year contract with Mercedes expires, then
he will join the legendary German at the top of the record books.
Having started in fifth with Bottas on pole, Hamilton had moved ahead of Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel by the end of the first lap. He kept on moving up and even took the lead, only for Bottas to pip him at the death.
The Finn said: “Big congrats to Lewis. I personally failed in my target this year but there’s always next year. He deserves it. He’s a great champion.”