Pit Stop | Lewis Hamilton is now a class act - mature on and off the Formula One track
Briton secures third F1 title in Austin, Texas, but it appears Americans couldn't care less judging by the lack of national coverage in newspapers
I don't know how you might classify these things, but surely Lewis Hamilton is now a legend of motor racing. He's world champion again, with his third title; a second in a row. It's been suggested, not unreasonably, that this is now the Hamilton era of F1.
The title was wrapped up in Austin, and now Hamilton has three races - including this weekend's welcome return to Mexico - to bask in the glow of his own success. It's been borne not only by the brilliance of Mercedes, but also by the Briton's growing authority over his teammate.
He elbowed Nico Rosberg out of the way on the first corner in Texas to take the lead, and when events conspired to give him fresh tyres behind the German toward the end of the race, he was quick to overtake and keep himself in front. No wonder there was a bit of tension between the two afterwards, it must have been an immensely frustrating afternoon for the German.
Nigel Mansell believes that Hamilton can match Schumacher's tally, given the continued dominance of Mercedes
Not so for Hamilton who as tradition dictates was dripping with champagne as he and his team celebrated. He's one of only 10 drivers to have at least three world titles to his name. He is in exulted company, with Nikki Lauda, Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna also having three titles.
To equal his hero Senna had added meaning, but surely now he must be eyeing those above him. Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel have four titles, Juan Manuel Fangio had five and Michael Schumacher has seven.
Nigel Mansell believes that Hamilton can match Schumacher's tally, given the continued dominance of Mercedes. That may be a prediction too far, but consider how far Hamilton has come in a short space of time.
Cast your mind back to Monaco last year and his fury at Rosberg's antics in qualifying that cost him pole in what was then a very tight title contest. It might have preceded a meltdown over the rest of the 2014 season, but instead he slowly wrested control and momentum from his teammate and dominated the run in.
