It’s all about pride

The fight for the drivers’ title in Formula 1 is finally over, as Lewis Hamilton took his third title at Circuit of the Americas last weekend. The 30-year-old became the only Briton to secure back-to-back championships in Formula 1’s history, and joined the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart, the late Sir Jack Brabham and Ayrton Senna da Silva to have taken three titles. After what has been considered the BEST race of the season, thanks to a myriad of differing weather conditions and safety car interventions, Formula 1 now hits the home stretch. With three races over two continents, no strategies will come into play, no tactics employed, and racing will be the name of the game.

Along with Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel and others, expect more than a few fireworks in Mexico, Yas Marina and Interlagos. The pressure has clearly been on the two Silver Arrows drivers since the beginning of the year, with Brackley’s mightiest warriors trying to get one up on each other.

With the dust having settled, it’s now time for the gloves to quite literally come off. It’s not about glory any more, as pride will see someone move into the momentum during the winter break.

Hamilton will look to take the final three wins of the season, already having won ten times this year, along with the Pole Position trophy. However, the fire will still burn bright within both Rosberg and Vettel, as the pair have shown what they are capable of this season, being able to keep their title hopes alive until Texas.

Rosberg’s actions in the heat of the moment are just a part of what happens when that glimmer of hope finally vanishes before your very eyes, despite the cap-flinging moment before the podium celebrations. However, the German will look to get back on top, as he will put the disappointment behind him to come back stronger.

With freshly laid tarmac and a potential for weather conditions making their presence felt, it could be another surprise just one week after Austin.

Since the announcement late last year that Vettel would wear the famed Maranello red after a lengthy association with Red Bull, there were a lot of doubters on what might happen. Anyway, it’s been rather refreshing to see the four-time champion rise to the challenge to help Ferrari return to winning ways, along with the new team principal Maurizio Arrivabene to lead the team into the future. The 28-year-old has shone brighter than ever before, picking up wins in Malaysia, Hungary and Singapore. Seb has been more at ease in his new surroundings, and has made sure that his goals are not that extreme, so as to not put too much pressure on himself. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

And then there’s the other 17 drivers to consider. With Mexico being a relatively unknown track, it could also upset the proverbial “apple cart”. I think Ricciardo, Kvyat, Sainz and Verstappen could even feature towards the sharp end of the action once again.

The revised Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, which makes a return to Formula 1 after a 23-year absence, will have all the teams guessing when the first free practice session gets underway.

With freshly laid tarmac and a potential for weather conditions making their presence felt, it could be another surprise just one week after Austin.

So forget about the political loggerheads that surround the paddock, it’s time to wait for those five lights to go out, and see what happens next.