Summary Hamilton admits he hasn't spoken to Mercedes teammate Rosberg following their bitter clash in Texas.
MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton admits he hasn t spoken to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg following their bitter clash in Texas, preferring instead to soak up the adulation of being a three-time world champion.
The British driver secured the 2015 Formula One title with victory at the United States Grand Prix last Sunday, emulating childhood hero Ayrton Senna as a triple champion.
But it didn t come without controversy as Rosberg blasted Hamilton for his driving tactics on the first turn at the Circuit of the Americas.
The glum-faced German in turn attracted criticism for his petulance when he threw a cap at his teammate as the two men waited for the presentation ceremony.
The incident has already been dubbed "Capgate".
"We haven t spoken and I don t think we really need to. The reason for me is I am very easy going, so I never have any problems," said Hamilton.
"(Team boss) Toto Wolff feels that he needs to perhaps sit with Nico to see where his head is at, because we don t want tension in the team.
"Generally we do come together and keep it transparent. I don t have anything to say about it, but I am sure we will sit down and see what Nico is feeling and whatever emotion he has, then try to dilute them and move on."
Hamilton also dismissed suggestions that he would now race to support Rosberg s bid to finish second in the championship, ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
"No-one has asked me to do that, but we can see what Toto wants us to do," he said.
And with a broad grin, he also laughed when asked about the tensions betrayed when Rosberg threw the podium ceremony cap back at him last Sunday.
"The cap thing? That was pretty funny," he said. "I don t really have much else to say about it.... I will keep pushing."
Meanwhile, Hamilton remains the focus of great attention in Mexico City ahead of Sunday s Mexican Grand Prix.
A stroll round the city had to mean the 30-year-old was photographed wearing a sombrero and a neckerchief in green, white and orange colours of the Mexican flag, as the country prepares to host an F1 race for the first time since 1992.
If that was almost an expected photo-opportunity for the man at the centre of a global media frenzy this week, his visit and participation in a local wrestling event on Wednesday evening was definitely a surprise.
Hamilton obviously enjoyed himself and smiled at the recollection of his bout in a tag-team event with a 32-year-old Mexican, Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde, who had previous experience in WWE.
In his brief appearance, Hamilton delivered a running body slam to the delight of the local audience.
Back at the day job, however, Hamilton pledged to continue his aggressive style at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
"Since my karting days, I have always been fighting through packs," said Hamilton as he recalled his rollercoaster US Grand Prix.
"I was struggling at the beginning, skating all over the place, and I fell back to fourth. Then I was back in second, then I was leading for a while, then I came back and Nico was ten seconds ahead.
"So, for me, the most testing thing is that I never gave up. I kept believing I could win it and that is what I have had since I was a kid. Even if I started last, I believed that the potential was there."
After emulating the three championships won by Senna, he admitted his immediate goal was fulfilled.
But, he said, he remained motivated and would always race to win, including this weekend s Mexican race in which there is likely to be a ferocious no holds barred contest between the Mercedes men with Ferrari in close attendance.
"For me, the motivation part is really easy," added Hamilton.
"I was born with it, so it doesn t go away. I don t feel any worries about that, winning is winning, it never gets old.
"Obviously, I still have the motivation for the next race. I want to win it -- and it just rolls over. Everything I compete in, I want to win.
"I don t feel the need to go search for motivation at all. Niki (Lauda) told me about the day that he didn t enjoy it any more -- so, until that happens, I guess I will keep going. I don t feel like this is it (the end). I feel like this is the beginning."
