HOW LEWIS WON HIS FIRST THREE TITLES...
LEWIS HAMILTON is chasing his fourth World Championship in Austin tomorrow, so he clearly knows how to get the job done. Here’s how he raced to his first three titles…
2008: BRAZIL
ONE of the most memorable moments in grand prix history. Hamilton (right) overtook the Toyota of Timo Glock on the last corner of the last lap as rain fell in Sao Paulo. Local hero Felipe Massa had already crossed the line and his family were fleetingly celebrating, believing his race win had secured the title. But Hamilton’s Houdini act gave him fifth place and the title over the Brazilian by a single point.
2014: ABU DHABI
THE decider that carried double points, but that gimmick did not distort the outcome. Hamilton got away brilliantly, passing pole-sitter Nico Rosberg in the other Mercedes, and went on to take his 11th win of the season. Rosberg suffered electrical gremlins, finishing 14th and being lapped by the putative champion. Hamilton, who had entered the race leading by 17 points, took his second title by 67 points.
2015: USA
ON A weekend lashed by Hurricane Patricia, Hamilton won a thrilling race after taking the lead with seven laps left when Rosberg veered off the track (the German blamed a gust of wind). With title rival Sebastian Vettel only third, Hamilton became only the second Briton after Jackie Stewart to win three F1 titles and the first to take two back to back. Job done, he treated the rest of the season as a holiday.