Hamilton dismisses ‘silly’ title talk

Austin : Lewis Hamilton dismissed talk of him wrapping up a fourth world title at the United States Grand Prix this weekend as “silly”.

The 32-year-old Briton can claim the 2017 crown if he is triumphant for Mercedes and nearest rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari fails to finish in the top five in Sunday’s race at the Circuit of the Americas.

“Honestly, I don’t know, all of the talk of a championship win here is silly really –- Sebastian won’t have the same difficulties and he will be very quick.

“For me, it (the title) will be done in the last four races so my focus here is on winning.

“I don’t mind if it is done here or at the last race, but the most important thing here is to win, in the midst of all that is going on in the country and that is a priority for me -– and you know what I am talking about.”

Hamilton declined to elaborate on his plans or the significance of his comments about why winning is such a priority for him. He suggested that a member of the media audience understood, without explaining.

When he was asked directly if he intended to take a knee in support of the protests by NFL players against racial injustice and police brutality, he distanced himself from some of his earlier comments on the subject.

“I’ve not given that much thought,” he said, adding that when he had referred to a “gentleman at the front” who understood his thinking he was not considering the protest action. “I’ve worked hard to be here today and I have feelings about the whole situation, but at the moment I have no plans to do anything.”

He added that if he was not to win the title in the United States, he would be happy to win it in Mexico, Brazil or Abu Dhabi.