Lewis Hamilton eyes fourth trophy

Austin: Lewis Hamilton usually feels at ease in the U.S. And why not? It’s pretty easy to be happy when he’s usually finishing first.

Yet despite his commanding lead over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the chase for the Formula One championship, the Mercedes driver barely cracked a smile on Thursday as he dismissed scenarios that he could clinch the title with a win and another Vettel collapse.

Hamilton also fended off speculation that he might take a knee when the American national anthem is played before Sunday’s race.

Hamilton, the only black driver in Formula One, said he supports the demonstration that began as a protest over treatment of minorities by police that has roiled the National Football League and drawn heavy criticism from President Donald Trump.

But when asked if he would kneel on Sunday, the British driver said “I don’t have any plans” and was concentrating on the race.

“I know black and white people that live here in America, so I get quite a view of what’s happening here in the States,” Hamilton said, calling the protest movement “awesome.”

“I’m very much in support of it. But I’m here to win and that’s the top of my priorities at the moment and I’m not really focused on anything else,” he added further. Hamilton dismissed the notion of winning the championship in Texas as “silly.” He would clinch his fourth F1 season title Sunday if he finishes 16 points ahead of Vettel. 

For example, if Hamilton again wins a race which he’s won four of the last five years, Vettel would have to finish sixth or lower to give the title to Hamilton. Outside of the two races he didn’t finish, Vettel has finished lower than fourth just once.

“Sebastian, you cannot expect him to have a difficult weekend, they are going to be quick,” Hamilton said. “He has been strong all year. He has had a few technical issues, but the car is as good as it has always been,” Lewis said.